Kurdistan Region election results approved by electoral commission

ERBIL – Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission has officially approved and submitted the final results of the sixth term of the Kurdistan Parliament elections to the Kurdistan Regional Presidency. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani now has 10 days to issue a decree summoning the newly elected Parliament to hold its inaugural session.

The Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections for the 100 seat legislative chamber were held on Oct. 20, with preliminary results announced on Oct. 21 and final results officially declared on Oct. 30.

After review and validation by the judicial committee overseeing the process, the Kurdistan Democratic Party emerged as the largest party, securing 39 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan with 23 seats.

Amid allegations of fraud – so far unsubstantiated – the complaint process recorded a total of 41 cases: 25 from Sulaymaniyah, 12 from Erbil, three from Duhok, and one from Halabja. Iraq’s Electoral Judicial Panel, operating under the Supreme Judicial Council, has dismissed all complaints challenging the final results.

The newly elected parliament is expected to convene its first session under the speakership of its eldest member, during which leadership positions, including the speaker of parliament, should be selected. However, political disagreements over cabinet formation and power-sharing could delay proceedings.

On Nov. 16, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called on political parties to prioritize the region’s interests and engage in constructive dialogue to establish a government that effectively addresses the needs of the public.