Kurdish voters head to polls in delayed regional parliament election

On 10/20/2024 residents of Iraqs northern Kurdish region cast their votes in a long-awaited parliamentary election. The poll‚ initially planned for 2022 was pushed back multiple times due to disagreements over electoral procedures

The two main contenders are the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) these parties have long held sway over different parts of the region: KDP in Irbil and Dohuk PUK in Sulaymaniyah. This division has often resulted in political stalemates

In the special election held two days ago for security forces‚ KDP secured 60% of votes while PUK got around 30%. The New Generation Movement an opposition party gained 5.3% up from 3% six years ago. However it still faces an uphill battle against the established parties

People want to have electricity and get paid their salary on time‚ and to have more jobs. This is all they want

Voters main concerns revolve around economic issues:
- Delayed salaries for government workers
- Fluctuating oil prices
- Budget cuts from Baghdad

Corruption and calls for reform are also key issues. Many young voters are demanding changes to address nepotism and lack of transparency in government

Relations with Baghdads central government remain tense since the 2017 independence referendum particularly over oil revenue sharing and budget allocations. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani recently stated “We are committed to ensuring the rights of the Kurdish people but this must be done within Iraqs constitution“

Security is a significant concern in some areas‚ with Islamic State sleeper cells still active in disputed territories. Voters hope for increased safety and development in the region

The outcome of this election could shape the Kurdish regions future and its relationship with the rest of Iraq