ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdish ruling parties on Wednesday met to discuss the electoral commission and Kurdistan Region’s upcoming parliamentary elections, expected to be held later this year, with both sides stressing for the vote to be held on time.
A delegation from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) convened with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in the latter’s headquarters in Sulaimani.
“The two sides agreed that Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections should be held on time, national preparations should be made, and that there should be a common understanding of the legal and political mechanism for holding the elections,” read a joint statement published by PUK Media following the meeting.
The KDP and PUK also agreed to “boost the people's trust in the election process and to make it a transparent and a successful procedure,” it added.
Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, according to Article 8 of the Kurdistan Electoral Law.
The Kurdistan Region held its fifth parliamentary elections for the 111-seat legislature on September 30, 2018. Over one million people participated in the vote, recording a turnout of 59 percent.
The KDP was the kingmaker of the vote, gaining over six hundred thousand votes and securing 45 seats while the PUK gained a total of 21 seats.
A minimum quota of 30 percent of the parliamentary seats are reserved for women MPs, while 11 seats are allocated for parties that represent minorities.
