KDP wins Iraqi Kurdistan parliamentary elections; PUK, NG follow

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has emerged as the leading force in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections, securing over 800,000 votes, according to preliminary results announced on Monday by Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

The KDP’s success was followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the New Generation (Newey Nwê) Movement.

With 99.63 percent of ballot boxes counted, the KDP garnered 809,197 votes, nearly doubling the tally of its closest rival, the PUK, which received 408,141 votes. These results reaffirmed the KDP’s dominant political position in the Kurdistan region.

Meanwhile, the New Generation Movement, led by businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid, made significant gains, amassing 290,991 votes to become the third-largest party in the region. Known for its strong opposition stance, the New Generation Movement’s rise marks a noteworthy shift in the political landscape.

Sunday’s elections were distinct, as the legislature was reduced from 111 to 100 seats following a landmark court decision that impacted the representation of ethnic and religious minorities. However, a quota system was reinstated, guaranteeing five seats within the 100-seat parliament for minority groups. Voter turnout was robust, with 72 percent of eligible voters—amounting to over two million people—casting their ballots, as confirmed by the IHEC.

The results also highlighted the performance of smaller parties. The Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and the Kurdistan Justice Group, formerly known as the Kurdish Islamic Group (Komal), ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

The National Stance Movement (Halwest), led by prominent former lawmaker Ali Hama Saleh, finished in sixth place. In contrast, Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani’s People’s Front (Baray Gal) struggled to gain traction, securing only 33,000 votes. The Change Movement (Gorran), once a powerful opposition party, continued its decline into political obscurity.

These elections were the first in the Kurdistan region to be held under the supervision of Iraq’s electoral body, as the now-dissolved Kurdish parliament had failed to extend the mandate of the regional electoral commission. Baghdad’s involvement ensured an orderly process, marking a significant development in the region’s electoral framework.

Another notable feature of this election cycle was the introduction of four provincial constituencies—Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja—ensuring that voters from across the region were represented.

The election process, however, was not without its challenges. Political wrangling between the ruling KDP and the PUK, along with interference from Baghdad, delayed the polls on four occasions. Originally scheduled for October 2022, the elections were finally held in October 2024.

This election saw five seats reserved for minority groups. The Christian community, comprising Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Syriacs, secured representation across three provinces. Ramy Noori Syawish, the mayor of Ankawa, a predominantly Christian district near Erbil, claimed the Christian quota seat in Erbil, defeating a competitor from the Iran-backed Babylon Movement.

Former deputy Kurdistan parliament speaker Muna Kahveci won the Turkmen quota seat in the same province. In Sulaimani, Babylon’s Dana Amanj Najeeb took the Christian seat, while Najdat Mohammed secured the Turkmen seat. The Christian seat in Duhok went to James Hassado.

U.S. Urges Post-Election Dialogue

Following the announcement of election results in Iraqi Kurdistan, the U.S. government encouraged political parties in the Kurdistan region to engage in swift and sustained dialogue to form a stable and inclusive government.

During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted the importance of democratic values in fostering stability and praised the high voter turnout and peaceful election process.

While acknowledging minor logistical issues, Patel emphasized that the election proceeded smoothly. He called on Kurdish leaders to put aside their differences and prioritize forming a government that represents all factions, stressing that there is more that unites them than divides them.

The U.S. remains committed to supporting a peaceful and democratic process in the Kurdistan region and urges all political factions to work together for the benefit of the people.

Iraqi Kurdistan is a politically and geographically divided region, split between two dominant forces: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by the Barzani family, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by the Talabani family.

The KDP controls the Erbil and Duhok governorates, while Sulaimani remains under the influence of the PUK. Both parties operate independently, each maintaining its own security forces and militias, reinforcing the division between these rival factions within the Kurdish region.

(With files from Rudaw | Agencies)