Scheduled for June
Preparations underway for Kurdistan parliament elections
ERBIL — Political parties in the Kurdistan region can now form alliances for the upcoming parliamentary elections, either in pairs or as larger groups. Officials also announced an extension for biometric registration.
Jumana Al-Ghalai, spokesperson for the Iraqi High Electoral Commission, told 964media that the deadline for biometric registration in the Kurdistan Region has been extended to March 10, 2024, ending at 3 p.m.
The initial deadline was Feb. 20, 2024, but was extended to March 5 to enhance voter participation. Voters who do not complete biometric registration by the deadline will not be eligible to vote.
As of Feb. 10, 75% of eligible voters in the Sulaymaniyah governorate have registered, according to the electoral commission.
Sulaymaniyah has some of the lowest turnout and voter engagement in the country for elections and referenda.
Amanj Aziz, general director of the Sulaymaniyah office of the commission, said the window for political alliances to register for the elections is open until March 14, 2024. Two or more parties can form an alliance.
This year’s elections for the Kurdistan Parliament introduce major changes, including dividing the region into four electoral districts instead of a single constituency and reducing the number of parliamentary seats from 111 to 100, after the elimination of quota seats by the Iraqi Federal Court.
The elections, scheduled for June 10, 2024, will be overseen by the Iraqi High Electoral Commission and mark the sixth Kurdistan parliament.