PM Barzani congratulates voters, hopes elections mark ‘new era’ for Iraq

ERBIL — Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani welcomed the conclusion of Iraq’s parliamentary elections on Tuesday, congratulating voters and urging that the results be respected.

“I congratulate the people of Iraq as a whole and the people of the Kurdistan Region in particular for participating in this process and fulfilling their national rights and duties and electing their representatives,” Barzani said in a statement.

Polling stations nationwide closed at 6 p.m., when voting machines automatically shut down, marking the end of balloting.

He also thanked the Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, security forces, and all local and international observers for their role in the electoral process.

Barzani expressed hope that the outcome would lead to real political representation and reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional status. “The representatives who win the trust of the voters must be true representatives of the people and defend the constitutional rights of the Kurdistani public, the federal status of the Kurdistan Region, and the interests of all Iraqi citizens,” he said.

He concluded by expressing hope that the election “heralds a new era in a federal and democratic Iraq” and contributes to improving citizens’ lives and strengthening the Kurdistan Region’s position.

Earlier in the day, the Independent High Electoral Commission reported 23.9% turnout by midday, with about 4.8 million votes cast. Final figures will be announced after all counts are verified.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani praised citizens for their participation in the 2025 parliamentary elections.

Full statement from PM Barzani:

Thankfully, the Iraqi parliamentary elections have been successfully completed.

I congratulate the people of Iraq as a whole and the people of the Kurdistan Region in particular for participating in this process and fulfilling their national rights and duties and electing their representatives. I also thank the Independent High Election Commission and the security forces. I would like to thank all international and local observers for their cooperation and observation of the process.

I sincerely hope that the voters’ ballots will be respected. The representatives who win the trust of the voters must be true representatives of the people and defend the constitutional rights of the Kurdistani public, the federal status of the Kurdistan Region and the interests of all Iraqi citizens.

I hope that this heralds a new era in a federal and democratic Iraq that will begin to achieve all the legitimate rights of our people, and that the election results will improve the lives of Iraqi citizens and strengthen the position of the Kurdistan Region.