Kurdistan Region Leaders Cast Ballots, Urge High Participation as Iraq Holds Pivotal Parliamentary Election

Peregraf- Voting is underway across Iraq in the country’s sixth parliamentary election, with top leaders in the Kurdistan Region casting their ballots early and calling on citizens to participate widely in what they described as a decisive moment for the future of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. More than 20 million eligible voters are choosing among 7,768 candidates competing for 329 seats in the Iraqi parliament.

In the Kurdistan Region, 2.8 million voters and 303 candidates are competing for 46 seats.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani voted at a special polling station inside the Rotana Hotel in Erbil, accompanied by his two sons.

"This election is one of the most important elections in Iraq," Barzani told reporters, urging citizens of the Kurdistan Region to fulfill their national duty and head to the polls.
He said he hopes the election will mark "the beginning of a new phase for Iraq," emphasizing that "the Kurdistan Region must be very strong in Baghdad."

Barzani also stressed that dialogue remains open with all sides, and confirmed that discussions on forming the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will resume after ballots are counted.

After voting, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called on citizens to participate freely and peacefully.

"Today is the day for the people's decision," the KRG prime minister said, expressing hope that voting would take place "in a calm and free atmosphere, away from any pressure."

He urged voters to send "patriotic people to the Iraqi parliament to defend their legitimate and constitutional rights," adding that the outcome would shape governance for the next four years.

Masrour Barzani also called on the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to handle ballots with full integrity throughout the process.

In Sulaymaniyah, Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), cast his ballot and encouraged people to vote with their conscience.

He called on voters to support parties capable of addressing "more than 222 problems," underscoring the need for effective representation in Baghdad.

Following his vote, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani expressed confidence in the PUK’s renewed strength.

"The PUK is not like it was a year ago; it is one voice, one direction, with a strong leader," he said, stating that the party has delivered on many commitments.

Talabani added that winning more seats would boost the PUK’s ability to address challenges, particularly in Baghdad. "People today are more aware than in the past; they know who can get work done, who has ruined things, and who is just an observer," he said.

The special voting stage concluded on November 9, covering security forces and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

According to IHEC data, 1,313,908 voters nationwide were eligible for special voting.
In the Kurdistan Region:

• 270,219 eligible security personnel from the Ministry of Peshmerga and Ministry of Interior
• 26,538 IDPs voted across 97 polling stations in 27 centers

The general vote continues across the country amid heightened security and political scrutiny. Results are expected to determine Iraq’s political direction and the balance of power between parties in Iraq.