Barzani awaits written verdict to address federal court rulings

HALABJA – During his visit to Halabja, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced on Thursday that his administration will clarify its stance on the Federal Court’s decisions once an official document is received. He underscored the necessity of holding the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections as soon as possible, regardless of which entity oversees them.

On Wednesday, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court made significant rulings, deeming several aspects of the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament Election Law unconstitutional. This decision mandates substantial adjustments to the region’s legislative framework and election protocols, notably eliminating the allocation of 11 seats reserved for minorities and revising the total number of parliamentarians to 100.

The court also transferred oversight of regional elections to Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and demanded changes to the electoral constituency system, among other rulings.

In a press conference in Halabja, monitored by 964media, Barzani emphasized the importance of a thorough and unbiased examination of the Federal Court’s recent rulings. “As soon as we receive a written decision, we will make our position clear,” he declared.

Barzani vowed to contest any decisions that ‘infringe’ upon the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region. He reiterated that the focus should not be on who conducts the elections but on ensuring they occur promptly.

Initially scheduled for October 2022, the elections were delayed for two years due to political issues and legal controversies over the election law, following consultations with the Region’s Presidency. Despite these setbacks, Barzani advocates for accelerating the election timetable.