Kurdistan extends election deadline after parties fail to register candidates

The Kurdistan Region’s electoral commission extended the deadline on Wednesday for candidates to register for the upcoming September regional election after multiple parties failed to do so on time.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s electoral commission extended the deadline on Wednesday for candidates to register for the upcoming September regional election after multiple parties failed to do so on time.

The Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) previously chose July 7 – 25 as the window for enrollment for candidates to run for seats in the region's parliament, but according to IHERC’s spokesperson Shirwan Zirari, there was a need to add four additional days.

“Today, the council of commissioners, based on the request of some of the parties, found it necessary to give some more time, until Sunday, July 29 at 10:00 am, to register their candidates,” Zirari told reporters at a press conference in Erbil.

He also mentioned that parties will be held accountable, and would not be able to participate in the upcoming election, should they fail to submit the required paperwork before the extended deadline passes.

He noted that 39 parties and coalitions had been registered to run for the election, which is to be held on Sept. 30.

Independent candidates cannot run for the upcoming election, but instead must be fielded by an established party. Unlike in Iraq’s national election held in May and tarnished by widespread claims of fraud, the Kurdistan Region decided to forego the use of controversial electronic voting machines.

Editing by John J. Catherine