Former MP welcomes election date, confirms participation
“President Masoud Barzani has been the vocal supporter of communities rights, especially the Christian people, so I call on Christians to participate in the elections,” she urged.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Robina Aziz, a former (MP) member of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) parliament from the National Union Coalition, a Christian party, has expressed her support for the upcoming elections.
Aziz confirmed that her party will participate in the elections and has candidates ready to run for seats in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Aziz, who represents the Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian communities, stated, “We welcome the date of the elections. As the Christian community, we have always advocated and backed the dates that were set for the elections.”
She emphasized the importance of holding the elections on October 20, noting, “There has been a great injustice against the communities, so we want elections to be held on October 20, and we have no objection to extending the registration deadline.”
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Aziz highlighted the need for true representation in the parliament to amend the electoral law and protect the rights of all communities in Kurdistan. “We will participate in the elections and we have candidates to run for the Kurdistan parliament, so that we can send our true representatives to the parliament,” she said.
Initially hesitant about participation, Aziz explained that discussions and dialogues led to the decision to engage politically. “We did not intend to participate at first, but following discussions and dialogues, we decided that political participation is the suitable route to ensure representation for Syriacs, Chaldeans, and Assyrians,” she said.
Aziz also praised KDP President Masoud Barzani for his support of the Kurdistan Region’s communities, especially Christians. “President Masoud Barzani has been the vocal supporter of communities rights, especially the Christian people, so I call on Christians to participate in the elections,” she urged.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, announced that Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani issued Regional Decree No. 222 of 2024, setting the date for the general elections for the sixth session of the Kurdistan Region Parliament on October 20, 2024.
The decree calls for cooperation with the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq to implement this order, which takes effect immediately and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Jumana al-Ghalai, spokesperson for the Iraqi High Elections Commission (IHEC), affirmed their readiness to hold the parliamentary elections on the scheduled date. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has also declared its readiness to participate in the upcoming elections.
The Kurdistan Regional Government, the Iraqi Government, UNAMI, and the European Union have welcomed the election date and expressed their support for the Commission to ensure the success of the electoral process.
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In a statement, KDP President Masoud Barzani emphasized the importance of free and fair elections, congratulating the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region on setting the date for the parliamentary elections.
Read More: KDP President Masoud Barzani emphasizes his support for holding free and fair election
“We urge the political parties to consider the situation in the Kurdistan Region, to cooperate responsibly in fostering a democratic process, and to maintain stability and coexistence,” he added.
