Peregraf
The Iraqi High Election Commission (IHEC) has officially announced the closure of the deadline for filing appeals against the final results of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections. A total of 41 complaints have been lodged, with resolutions expected within 17 days.
Jumana Ghalai, spokesperson for the IHEC, provided details to Peregraf, stating that the complaints are predominantly concentrated in Sulaymaniyah, with 25 filed there, followed by 12 in Erbil, three in Duhok, and one in Halabja.
According to Law No. 31 of 2019, the IHEC is obligated to submit these appeals to the judiciary within seven days. The judiciary will then have a period of 10 days to make a ruling on the appeals. The IHEC's timely processing of these complaints is crucial for maintaining electoral integrity and public confidence in the democratic process in the Kurdistan region.
The parliamentary elections in Iraqi Kurdistan, held on October 20, 2024, have been marred by "allegations of fraud and vote manipulation". Opposition parties, including the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG), also known as Komal, the People’s Front (Baray Gal), and Halwest, have claimed that the results were "manipulated to favor the ruling parties and the New Generation Movement."
The Kurdistan parliamentary elections, did not alter the rankings of the top two parties, the KDP and PUK—the two ruling parties—they successfully reaffirmed their political legitimacy through the people's vote. However, there are notable changes and other important consequences that have emerged from this election.