Peregraf
The Kurdistan election campaign has always been a challenging task for political party candidates, but it’s even more difficult for independent candidates. Without the backing of a party's organization or financial resources, independents must rely solely on their personal efforts and limited funds to compete for seats.
A total of 84 independent candidates, commonly referred to as "independents," are vying for seats in the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament, among 1,191 total candidates.
"Campaigning is twice as difficult for us because we fund everything ourselves—from printing posters to reaching out to voters. Despite the challenges, we are determined to win the trust of the people," said Safira Sdiq, an independent candidate from the Duhok constituency, speaking to Peregraf.
The elections will be held across four constituencies. In Erbil alone, 29 independent candidates are running, with 32 in Sulaimaniyah, 22 in Duhok, and one in Halabja.
Isra Abdulstar, an independent candidate from Erbil, shared her vision with Peregraf: "We are connected to the people. Our actions will speak louder than words. It’s crucial for an independent voice to enter parliament because the traditional parties have failed to serve the people properly."
Among the independents, there are a wide variety of candidates, from social media personalities and businessmen to activists and former party members—some of whom still have links to political organizations.
Dilgash Sdiq, deputy president of STEP organization for Democracy and Elections, explained the significance of independent candidates entering parliament: "This is the first time independents are running for parliament in Kurdistan, as they were previously barred by the electoral law. So, their exact role is yet to be seen."
There has been success for independent candidates in Iraq's national parliamentary elections, with several securing seats.
"Their presence in Iraq's parliament has introduced a different voice, and I believe the same will happen in Kurdistan. They can represent the many people who do not affiliate with any political party," said Sdiq.
The Kurdistan Parliament is made up of 100 seats, with 38 allocated to Sulaimaniyah, 34 to Erbil, 25 to Duhok, and three to Halabja.
"I’ve been an activist and journalist, close to the people's struggles for 30 years. Now, I want to take that experience to parliament and turn it into action," said Sabah Atroshi, an independent candidate from Duhok.
"We are aligned with the people's interests, not the political parties. We will work with parties when it serves the people’s interests," Atroshi told Peregraf.
"The opposition calls the authorities thieves, while the authorities accuse the opposition of corruption. Once in parliament, we’ll uncover the truth, expose those responsible for corruption, and work to solve the problems," he added.
Over 2.899 million people in the Kurdistan Region are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections on October 20, 2024, based on biometric registration.
"I’ve already prepared several programs and projects, including one aimed at reducing the divorce rate and others focused on improving electricity supply and utilizing solar energy," said Isra Abdulstar. She expressed concern about the issues facing Erbil and hopes to take a different approach from previous MPs.
In addition to the 84 independents vying for general seats, 38 independent candidates from the Christian and Turkmen communities are competing for five reserved seats in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, and Duhok.
Dilgash Sdiq, deputy president of STEP, emphasized the importance of having independent parliamentarians in the Kurdistan Parliament: "They will represent the people who are not tied to any political party, and their agenda will be distinct from that of other MPs."
Historically, the Kurdistan Regional Government has been dominated by the PUK and KDP, with limited room for independent voices in the legislative, judicial, or executive branches.
Safira Sdiq highlighted some of her key programs, including addressing the damage caused by Turkish bombings, creating jobs, and opening factories. "It’s vital that independent candidates have a presence in the Kurdistan Parliament," she concluded.