PM Barzani, UN envoy to Iraq agrees to hold parliamentary elections on time
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday received the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, in Erbil, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The main topic of the meeting was to discuss the situation in the Kurdistan Region, the statement added.
Both sides agreed to hold parliamentary elections on time.
"The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of avoiding any further delays in the elections, and emphasised that this democratic process must not be compromised or undermined by any group's self-interest," the statement reads.
Moreover, both sides addressed developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region's constitutional rights and financial entitlements.
The public has a right to elections.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) June 21, 2023
SRSG @JeanineHennis and I discussed how we make that happen with @UNIraq support. pic.twitter.com/EszAUMUntg
The Kurdistan Region is set to hold its sixth parliamentary elections on Nov. 18, after the political parties failed to reach a deal to hold the polls last year in October.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Kurdish region’s two leading parties, have held numerous rounds of discussion on amending the election law and reactivating the electoral commission. They have yet to reach a consensus.
PM Barzani has repeatedly assured his readiness to fully facilitate the process to hold the elections on time.
SRSG @JeanineHennis was received today in #Erbil by @Kurdistan PM @masrourbarzani. They discussed situation in the region & stressed importance of holding timely #Kurdistan Region elections w/out any further delay. SRSG expressed UNAMI's readiness to provide technical assistance. pic.twitter.com/2a5Y70mSeD
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) June 21, 2023