Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRG.org) - Almost 74 percent of eligible voters turned out in Kurdistan Region's fourth parliamentary elections on Saturday September 21, according to the Independent High Electoral Commission. 

 

The elections, which took place across the three provinces of Erbil, Slemani and Duhok, were monitored by 2,866 international observers from 192 countries. Foreign diplomats accredited to Iraq in Baghdad and those based in Kurdistan were also part of the observers and commended KRG and IHEC for the success of the elections.

 

The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Gyorgy Busztin, said, “I want to congratulate the people of the Kurdistan Region for their participation and their contribution to the democratic process." He added that he was particularly pleased with the high turnout and the peaceful nature of the polling.

 

President Masoud Barzani said, "The success of this election process is a victory for the whole of the Kurdistan Region and a major accomplishment by its people. I call on all the political parties as well as the people of Kurdistan to keep calm so that we can continue to coexist in peace and harmony.”

 

Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani also congratulated the people of the region and said, “These elections were evidence of the high level of awareness among the people of Kurdistan with regards to the democratic process and their success indicates that the Kurdistan Region has been able to progress greatly thanks to the people of our region.”

 

IHEC said that 73.9 percent of the 2.8million people eligible in the ballot turned out to vote, with the province of Duhok recording the highest turnout of 76 percent, followed by Slemani province with 73 percent and Erbil province registering a turnout of 71.7 percent. 

 

Votes are still being counted and the official results are expected to be announced by IHEC in the coming few days. 

 

A total of 1,129 candidates are vying for the 111 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament which has 11 seats reserved for representatives of minorities and 30 per cent of all seats designated to women MPs.

 

Britain's Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said, “I congratulate all those involved in the parliamentary elections in Kurdistan on 21 September. The efficient and professional organisation was impressive, as was the high voter turnout... In particular, the Kurdish government and the Iraqi High Electoral Committee are to be applauded for their work.”

 

Similar sentiments were expressed by the French Foreign Ministry which issued a statement saying, “We note with satisfaction the large turnout and the work of the Independent High Electoral Commission and Kurdish security forces, who ensured the smooth running of the election.”