Commission approves Kurdistan referendum, presidential, parliamentary elections dates

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) on Monday sent two letters to the Kurdistan Region Presidency confirming the dates of the referendum in September and regional elections in November.

In one of the letters, the IHERC approved the date of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on Nov. 1, IHERC Spokesperson Shirwan Zirari, told Kurdistan 24.

In another letter, the IHERC confirmed the date for the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum on Sep. 25.

According to the letter regarding the referendum, the IHERC said they hope the Kurdistan Region Parliament is re-activated “to back the referendum process with legal measures and host the event on time.”

The Kurdistan Region Parliament has been dismantled since December 2015, following tension between the Gorran (Change) party and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Efforts have since been taken by the parties in the Region to re-activate the Parliament before the referendum is held.

Kurdish officials highlight Baghdad’s continued violations of the Iraqi Constitution and marginalization of the Kurds 14 years after the removal of the dictatorship in the country.

Despite concerns from Baghdad, neighboring countries, and the US regarding the timing of the referendum, senior Kurdish officials have insisted on holding the vote.

Representatives of the Kurdish government have previously emphasized the people of the Kurdistan Region have been waiting for the “right time” to hold a referendum for almost a century.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany