Kurdistan Region votes in historic sixth parliamentary election

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Voters across the Kurdistan Region flocked to polling stations on Sunday to elect representatives for the sixth term of the parliament. More than 2.6 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots, choosing from 1,191 candidates.

Polling began at 7 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. across Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja provinces. Among the 100 parliamentary seats up for grabs, five are reserved for Christian and Turkmen minorities. The election is overseen by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

After voting in Erbil, President Nechirvan Barzani urged people to participate actively, calling the election a testament to the Region’s democratic foundation. He thanked Iraqi officials for supporting the election process and expressed hope for the swift formation of a new government, emphasizing that the real victory belongs to the people.

Barzani reaffirmed Kurdistan’s position as a constitutional entity within Iraq’s federal system, framing the election as a celebration of Kurdish self-determination.

Judge Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), told reporters that the parliamentary election is proceeding smoothly, with results expected to be announced within the next 24 hours.

Sunday’s vote follows special voting for security forces, where over 200,000 Peshmerga and other personnel cast their ballots.