Kurdistan Region of Iraq sets 20 October as date for parliamentary elections

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Nechirvan Barzani, has set a new date for the KRI parliament elections on October 20, receiving widespread local and international support.

According to the decree, the new date is based on the powers granted to the KRI president, as reported by KRI presidency spokesman Dilshad Shihab.

This decision was welcomed both locally and internationally. The federal government in Baghdad expressed its readiness to support and ensure the success of the KRI electoral process, according to a statement by Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi.

The statement also conveyed the federal government’s support for efforts to activate national dialogue among all political forces in the KRI, emphasizing joint national action under the law, the Constitution, and national identity, with positive participation in democratic construction and the promotion of civil and community peace in the KRI.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also welcomed the decision of the KRI presidency, confirming its readiness to work with the Independent Electoral Commission and all other relevant institutions to ensure inclusive, free, and fair elections, with the full participation of women and all KRI ethnic components.

The French Consul General in Erbil, Jan Brem, confirmed that France supports holding free and fair elections in the KRI.

EU Ambassador Thomas Seiler likewise welcomed the election date, highlighting their collaboration with the regional government, the federal government, all actors in the KRI, and the UN.

The US State Department stated that the new election date is an important step in the democratic process. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the US expects the authorities to ensure that the elections will be free, transparent, and held without further delay.