KDP President meets with IHEC Officials to ensure transparency in KRG Parliamentary Elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Thursday, KDP President Masoud Barzani held a meeting with the head and members of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), underscoring the commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring a fair electoral process.

President Barzani welcomed Judge Abbas Farhan Hussein, Chairman of IHEC, and Judge Amer Musa Mohammed, a distinguished member of the commission, to Salahaddin for deliberations on critical aspects pertaining to the electoral framework and procedures.

The meeting provided a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration between the KDP leadership and IHEC officials, focusing on the measures being undertaken by the electoral commission to facilitate the Kurdistan parliamentary elections.

Emphasis was placed on the imperative of implementing protocols that uphold transparency, fairness, and the sanctity of the electoral process.

Engaging in a thorough exchange of views, President Barzani and the IHEC representatives deliberated on the necessary steps to guarantee the integrity and credibility of the electoral proceedings. Ensuring a level playing field and safeguarding the rights of voters emerged as central themes, underscoring the shared commitment to democratic principles and governance.

Amidst heightened anticipation and scrutiny surrounding the electoral landscape, the discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between political entities and electoral authorities in fostering an environment conducive to free and fair elections.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on March 3, set June 10 for parliamentary elections.

Due to political infighting, the Kurdistan Region parties could not agree on amending the election law last year, triggering the extension of the current Kurdistan Parliament term by a year.

The Iraqi Supreme Court in August 2023, issued its verdict on the extension, calling it “unconstitutional.”

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and President Nechirvan Barzani have reiterated their calls for holding the elections on time and without further delay.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has also called on the political parties to hold the polls on time.

On Feb. 21, the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq ruled to decrease the Kurdistan Region parliament seats from 111 to 100. Those eleven seats were dedicated to Kurdistan Region minorities.

Read More: Kurdistan Region parliament seats reduced to 100 by the Iraqi federal Supreme Court

Every four years, Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections are held to elect the 111 members. The election was first held in 1992 and the most recent election was held in 2018.

Dawid Salman, the Director of the IHEC, previously told Kurdistan24 that there are 3.6 million eligible voters in the Kurdistan Region.