Sudani, Barzani meet in Duhok to discuss post-election developments

DUHOK – Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani met Tuesday in Duhok to discuss the outcomes of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections and proposals to amend the electoral law.

A statement from Barzani’s office, said the meeting included congratulations exchanged between the two leaders on “the smooth and peaceful conduct” of the recent parliamentary vote. They expressed hope that “the results would serve the interests of the Iraqi people.”

Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission on Monday released the final results of the parliamentary vote, confirming turnout at more than 56 percent and publishing the full distribution of all 329 seats.

Al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition finished first with 46 seats, the highest total nationwide, while Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party secured with 27 seats. In addition to this, the KDP backed several successful minority quota candidates: Sami Oshana in Duhok, Kaldo Ramzi in Erbil, Imad Youkhana in Kirkuk, Haider Fayli in Wasit and Khalid Sido in Nineveh.

The discussion also focused on the need to amend the current election law to “ensure broader fairness,” the statement read.

The KDP recorded one of the highest vote totals nationwide, receiving more than 1.1 million votes across the Kurdistan Region, Kirkuk and Nineveh but won only 27 seats under the current election law. The party said the system left it with fewer seats than its vote count would suggest.

The meeting addressed the broader political situation in Iraq and the region, as well as changes affecting Iraq’s political process.

The meeting took place on the sidelines at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum in Duhok, in which both leaders participated.