PUK Signals Support for Babylon Movement Candidate in Duhok as General Iraqi Vote Tomorrow

Peregraf- The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has publicly declared support for a Christian quota candidate from the Babylon Movement in Duhok, days after special voting for Iraq’s parliamentary elections and on the eve of the general vote.

The PUK’s official media outlet released photographs of party leader Qubad Talabani meeting with PUK candidates in the Duhok province. According to the report, candidates told Talabani that “all of our votes and efforts are for the success of candidate number 326.” The number corresponds to a candidate from the Babylon Movement, led by Rayan al-Kildani.

The endorsement highlights strategic collaborations developing around minority quota seats, in addition, it reveals the exploitation of the quota seats by the ruling political parties, which can influence closely contested districts. Quota seats are often exploited by major Kurdish and Arab blocs seeking to strengthen alliances and expand political reach within the Iraqi Parliament.

Defection Follows Announcement

Hours after the news surfaced, Iman Abdulrazzaq, head of the PUK’s List 222 in Duhok, announced she was joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) — a move interpreted as a direct reaction to the PUK’s endorsement of the Babylon Movement candidate.

Special Voting and Rising Tensions

The announcement comes shortly after Iraq concluded special voting, in which security forces, Peshmerga, and displaced persons cast ballots. Special voting turnout exceeded 82% nationwide, and participation in the Kurdistan Region surpassed 96%, led by Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Duhok respectively.

Special voting results already revealed political sensitivities: invalid ballots in the Kurdistan Region exceeded ~40,000, ranking third behind the KDP and PUK and surpassing votes cast for any opposition party. Electoral observers and party officials reported confusion among security personnel over quota voting rules, contributing to vote spoilage.

General Elections on Monday

Iraq will hold its general parliamentary elections tomorrow. More than 3.8 million people are eligible to vote in the Kurdistan Region, though an estimated 700,000 lack updated voter registration and will be unable to participate — an effective pre-election boycott.

Several parties and independent candidates have called for a broader boycott, citing a lack of electoral guarantees and political stagnation. Voters remain divided between participation and protest.

With the PUK now openly backing a Babylon Movement candidate, political alliances around minority seats could play a decisive role in shaping the next parliament, especially in contested constituencies such as Duhok, where KDP dominance has traditionally been strong.