Iraq's election campaigning ongoing in 'peaceful, organized' way in Kurdistan Region: Minister

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Campaigning for Iraq's November legislative vote has been ongoing in a "peaceful and organized" way in the Kurdistan Region, as all political parties have demonstrated compliance to the guidelines of the electoral body.

 

"Fortunately, the election campaign is going on very peacefully and in an organized way. We thank all parties for complying with the guidelines of the High Election Security Committee in the Kurdistan Region, of which all relevant institutions are members," Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad told a news conference on Thursday.

 

Iraq's upcoming parliamentary election is scheduled for November 11. Campaigning will come to an end three days prior to the vote, as special voting will be held on November 9.

 

"In several meetings, both in the Interior Ministry and with the High Security Committee of the federal government, all the necessary coordination and plans have been drawn up," Ahmed added.

 

He went on to say that all "local institutions of the provinces and the independent administrations... in the Kurdistan Region, have gained good experience that reflected on the previous elections, especially the parliamentary elections [of the Kurdistan Region] held a year ago," he said.

 

According to the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), over 580 candidates have been punished for violating the commission's guidelines and laws.

 

Election campaigning began on October 3 across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

 

The IHEC, in the meantime, said Wednesday that it was in the "final stage of preparation" for the November vote as coordination is underway with Baghdad’s education ministry for the handover of schools to be used as polling stations.

 

The November 11 ballot marks Iraq’s sixth legislative election since the 2003 ouster of the Baath regime.

 

According to IHEC, 31 alliances, 38 parties, 23 independent candidates, and 56 quota candidates will compete for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minorities.