ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday set February 25, 2024 as the date for the Region's parliamentary election, announced the presidency spokesperson. The vote has been postponed twice due to political tensions.
Dilshad Shahab told reporters on Thursday that President Barzani signed a presidential decree, setting February 25 as the new date for the Region’s general vote. He added that no political party has any objections regarding the date.
UK Consul General in Erbil Rosy Cave welcomed President Barzani's presidential decree, saying that her country "has consistently called for elections to happen in a free, fair and inclusive manner without further delay."
"We encourage all parties to participate constructively and for the relevant authorities to ensure they are held on time. This is an important opportunity for the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to engage in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote," she added.
A new parliamentary vote was set to be held in October 2022, but disagreements between the Kurdish political parties, especially the ruling ones, over the existing elections law and the electoral commission prevented the process from being conducted on its scheduled time and pushed the legislature to extend its four-year term for an additional year.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency set November 18 for the poll but the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court in May deemed the self-extension of the Kurdistan parliament “unconstitutional” and dissolved it. This further complicated the issue.
The Region’s presidency in recent days launched a new round of talks to discuss a new date, February 25, for the election.
The United States on Friday called on the Region’s political parties to hold the poll, adding that these parties have an obligation to take necessary steps in this regard.
Shahab said on Thursday that the Iraqi electoral body has expressed its readiness to supervise the Region's election on any date after February 18 next year.
Updated at 8:15 pm
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