IHERC denies postponement of Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections

The elections have been delayed in the past due to disagreements between political factions in the Kurdistan Region but are scheduled to take place on Sep. 30, 2018.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – There is no change in date or postponement for the Kurdistan Region’s upcoming parliamentary elections, the Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) clarified on Wednesday.

Reports earlier in the week suggested that some Kurdish political parties had called for a delay of the parliamentary elections in Kurdistan because of the Turkish incursion into the Region’s territory against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

In recent weeks, Turkey has intensified its air campaign in the Qandil mountains where the Kurdish rebel group is based.

The head of the Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) in Erbil, Aram Najmadin Bradusti, speaks to Kurdistan 24 about rumors of a delay in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The head of the Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) in Erbil, Aram Najmadin Bradusti, speaks to Kurdistan 24 about rumors of a delay in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The head of the IHERC in Erbil, Aram Najmadin Bradusti, denied rumors that the elections would be put on hold, adding preparations were underway for the vote to be held on time.

“Any postponement of the elections relies on an order from the Presidency and the Council of Ministers in Kurdistan, and we have not yet received any official letter calling for a change to the date,” Bradusti told Kurdistan 24.

Ali Hussein, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), during an interview with Kurdistan 24.
Ali Hussein, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), during an interview with Kurdistan 24.

Some parties, such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), say they will respect any consensual decision made between other parties in Kurdistan regarding the upcoming elections.

“We can confirm the agreed date for the elections, but at the same time, we have no problem in delaying the date in the event of an agreement between all the Kurdish political parties,” Ali Hussein, a KDP member, relayed to Kurdistan 24.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Spokesperson Safeen Dizayee said a delay in the parliamentary elections would cause legal problems.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Spokesperson Safeen Dizayee said a delay in the parliamentary elections would cause legal problems.

Meanwhile, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Spokesperson Safeen Dizayee warned the postponement of the elections would create a “legal vacuum” in the Region.

“The law requires the holding of parliamentary elections because the legal duration of the parliamentary term will end,” he explained. “Not holding the elections will create a legal vacuum.”

The elections have been delayed in the past due to disagreements between political factions in the Region but are scheduled to take place on Sep. 30, 2018.