Residents of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region participated in long-awaited parliamentary elections on Sunday, grappling with ongoing rivalries, economic instability, and unresolved disputes with Baghdad.
The primary contenders in this election are the two dominant Kurdish parties: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Historically, these parties have controlled different areas within the region, with the KDP overseeing the regional capital, Irbil, and Dohuk, while the PUK governs Sulaymaniyah. This division has often resulted in political stalemate.
Originally scheduled for 2022, the elections were postponed multiple times due to disputes regarding the election law and procedures. Special elections were held on Friday for the Ministry of Interior personnel and peshmerga forces, where the KDP secured approximately 60% of the votes compared to the PUK’s 30%. The New Generation Movement, an opposition party gaining traction, garnered 5.3% of the votes, up from 3% in the 2018 special election.
Despite New Generation’s growing appeal, particularly among younger voters disillusioned with the traditional political system, it faces significant challenges in competing against the entrenched power of the KDP and PUK.
Voting on Sunday experienced delays at some polling centers due to malfunctions in the biometric fingerprint scanners used for voter verification. At a center in Irbil’s Ankawa district, resident Raman Ramzi reported that his wife and mother were unable to vote because of these issues, which led several others to leave without casting their ballots.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, a KDP official, urged voters to “reward service and truthfulness and punish the parties that are playing with the rights and destiny of the people of Kurdistan.”
Economic struggles are the primary concern for voters, with many facing delayed civil servant salaries, fluctuating oil prices, and budget cuts from Baghdad, despite the region’s oil wealth. Voter Ghazi Najib expressed a common sentiment: “People want to have electricity and get paid their salary on time, and to have more jobs. This is all they want.”
Corruption remains a central issue in the elections, with the regional government frequently accused of nepotism and a lack of transparency. Many young voters are calling for reforms, although there is widespread skepticism regarding the ability of opposition parties to effect change given the dominance of the KDP and PUK.
Political relations with the central government also play a crucial role in this election. Tensions have persisted since the Kurdish independence referendum in 2017, particularly concerning oil revenue sharing and budget allocations. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani recently reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the rights of the Kurdish people, emphasizing the need to operate within Iraq’s constitution.
Security concerns also impact the current elections, as Islamic State group sleeper cells remain active in disputed areas between the regional and central governments. Voter Jamila Mohammed Amin expressed hope for a more developed and secure Kurdistan, stating, “All political parties and entities should work together and achieve these goals and protect it against enemies.”
