Kurdistan Region Parliament Elections begin with over 2.6 million eligible voters
According to the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC), 2,686,578 eligible voters are registered to cast their ballots across the region's four electoral districts: Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The general voting process for the sixth Kurdistan Parliament elections commenced at 7:00 AM on Sunday, October 20, 2024, marking a significant democratic milestone in the Kurdistan Region.
According to the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC), 2,686,578 eligible voters are registered to cast their ballots across the region's four electoral districts: Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja.
Voter Distribution by District:
- Erbil: 933,115 voters
- Sulaimani: 1,008,412 voters
- Duhok: 682,791 voters
- Halabja: 59,300 voters
The IHEC has established 1,266 polling centers with 6,318 voting stations throughout the Kurdistan Region to facilitate the electoral process.
Polling Station Distribution:
- Erbil: 498 centers with 2,213 stations
- Sulaimani: 477 centers with 2,373 stations
- Duhok: 264 centers with 1,596 stations
- Halabja: 27 centers with 136 stations
A total of 1,191 candidates have been approved by IHEC to compete for 100 parliamentary seats. The special voting, which took place on October 18, saw a remarkable 97 percent turnout rate, according to IHEC officials.
This election represents a crucial moment for Kurdish democracy, with polling stations equipped to handle the substantial voter turnout expected across all four electoral districts. The high participation in special voting suggests strong civic engagement in this democratic process.