KDP confirms participation in regional parliamentary elections

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of the ruling parties in the Kurdistan Region, announced its decision to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to the Independent High Electoral Commission spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai.

“Today, the KDP submitted a request expressing its interest to participate in the elections,” Al-Ghalai told 964media. The request was filed through the Department of Political Parties and Organizations Affairs of the commission.

The commission has reopened the registration phase for electoral alliances, parties, and individual candidates for the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections in 2024. The deadline for submitting documents is June 13.

“So far, 12 parties have expressed their desire to participate in the elections, and with the KDP’s participation, the total number is now 13,” Al-Ghalai added.

The IHEC is awaiting a regional decree from the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region to finalize the election date. Following the decree, the commission will proceed with its procedures based on an IHEC Council decision, including contracting companies for printing voter cards, ballots, and candidate numbers.

The new date for the much-anticipated Kurdistan parliamentary elections has yet to be set. “The commission proposed September 5 as the election date; however, it has not been finalized as some media outlets have reported,” Al-Ghalai emphasized.

On March 18, the KDP announced it would not participate in the long-delayed parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for June 10 this year. This decision was seen as a response to the rulings of the Federal Supreme Court.

The KDP has criticized the Federal Supreme Court’s decisions in recent years as “unconstitutional” and “illegal” actions against the Kurdistan Region. Specifically, the party pointed to the court’s rulings on the Kurdistan Parliament election law, viewing them as part of a series of unconstitutional decisions over the past four years.

On Feb. 21, 2024, after 11 delays, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court issued a verdict on the Kurdistan parliamentary election law. The ruling addressed issues within the 1992 law, declaring certain provisions unconstitutional, redefining the number of parliamentary seats to 100, and annulling 11 quota seats. It also split the electoral map into four constituencies corresponding with the Kurdistan Region’s four governorates.

The KDP’s decision to participate comes after the Iraqi Electoral Judiciary Council restored five quota parliamentary seats for minorities in the Kurdistan Region. Out of the total 100 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament, five will be reserved for minorities.