Peregraf
In a dramatic turn following the recent Kurdistan parliamentary elections, the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG), also known as Komal, and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), or Yakgrtu, have both taken decisive stances reflecting their dissatisfaction with the election process. Komal has announced a full boycott of the Kurdistan Parliament, citing alleged electoral fraud as the basis for their withdrawal, while Yakgrtu has declined to join the upcoming Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, choosing instead to operate within the parliament as part of the opposition.
Ali Bapir, the head of the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG), also referred to as Komal, has publicly articulated the party's stance regarding the recent Kurdistan parliamentary elections and their decision to boycott the Kurdistan parliament.
During a press conference in Sulaymaniyah, the Komal leader asserted, "We firmly believe that the voting process for the Kurdistan parliamentary elections was marred by fraud, which serves to perpetuate our oppression. Consequently, we find it imperative to declare that we will not participate in a parliament we deem to be illegitimate."
He further lamented, "Regrettably, it appears that the fraudulent activities occurred beyond the borders of the Kurdistan Region. Certain parties, which should have experienced a decline in votes and seats, instead saw an increase. Conversely, parties that have stood with the populace and advocated for their rights, particularly the KJG, have seen their representation in the Kurdistan parliament diminish from seven seats to three."
Bapir emphasized that the party's position aims to "uphold the will of the people of the Kurdistan Region and to caution the ruling authorities and parties that manipulating the voice and will of the populace in such a manner will lead to dire repercussions."
He also noted, "Regional countries have urged us to participate in the parliament; however, we will refrain from doing so and will demand a re-election for the Kurdistan parliamentary elections."
Komal was among the parties that took part in the Kurdistan parliamentary elections held on October 20, 2024. Komal previously known as the Kurdistan Islamic Group, did not fare well in the election. In the 2018 elections, Komal won seven seats with 109,494 votes. This time, however, it managed only 64,710 votes, resulting in just three seats.
Preliminary results from the Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) indicate that Komal secured three seats with over 60,000 votes.
In a related development, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), also known as Yakgrtu, has opted not to join the upcoming cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Executive Council of the KIU convened under the leadership of Salahaddin Mohammed Bahaaddin, Secretary General of Yakgrtu, in Erbil. A statement was subsequently released, and the Secretary General shared details on his official Facebook page.
“During this meeting, the Yakgrtu Executive Council assessed the recent Kurdistan parliamentary election process, addressing various shortcomings and violations that were identified. The Secretary General subsequently tasked party's electoral agency with coordinating with other parties to address these issues,” the statement reads.
The statement further indicated that the KIU Executive Council reached a unanimous decision to refrain from participating in the upcoming cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government, opting instead to maintain its opposition within the Kurdistan Parliament. This approach differs from that of Komal, as the KIU will not be boycotting the Parliament.
The KIU participated in the recent Kurdistan parliamentary elections. The KIU made substantial gains, rising to become the fourth-largest party in the Kurdistan Parliament, a notable improvement from its sixth-place ranking in the previous session. In 2018, the Yakgrtu participated in the election as part of an alliance with the Kurdistan Islamic Movement, securing 79,434 votes and five seats collectively. This time, the KIU ran independently, winning 116,941 votes and securing seven seats in Kurdistan parliament.