The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reaffirmed its strong objections to further delays to parliamentary elections in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Bureau stated that it “strongly rejects any authoritarian endeavours and speculations regarding an agreement among the parties to delay the parliamentary elections slated for June 10th, 2024. The PUK reaffirms its support of the ongoing initiatives undertaken by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to ensure the success of the elections on the aforementioned date.”
The Bureau’s statement goes on to say that a further delay would indicate “a significant flaw in the political process in Kurdistan and would disregard the proper handling of democratic power transition and the reputation of the institutions in the Kurdistan Region. It raises doubts about the authenticity of the Kurdistan Regional Government, which currently serves as the interim government.” It sees the delay as a “regression from democratic principles”.
The statement was made on 2 May, after a meeting at Dabashan, Sulaymaniyah.
The Political Bureau says it is taking all diplomatic and political measures possible to “protect the democratic rights of the Kurdish people” and oppose unfair attempts to delay the elections by “those seeking to avoid the electoral process and seeking an illegitimate means to secure a predetermined majority.”
The PUK affirmed that it would not take part in secret agreements, or meetings intended to agree further delays to the elections. The party also stated its intention to reach out to the international community, to complain through the courts and to seek broad alliances opposing a delay.
Elections haven’t been held in Iraqi Kurdistan since 2022. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is seeking to delay things even further, because it disagrees with a recent decision of the Iraqi Constitutional Court to do away with some of the electoral quotas for minorities. The court ruling arose from a complaint by the PUK, which believes that the KDP misuses the minority quota to maintain its control in Iraqi Kurdistan. Notably, the PUK did not actually want an end to all of the minority quotas, but said that it wanted them to be distributed fairly.
The court ruling sought to redefine Iraqi Kurdistan into four electoral regions: Al-Sulaymaniyah (Silemani), Erbil (Hewler), Duhok and Halabja, as opposed to just one unified constituency.
The KDP’s objection could mean that the elections get pushed back again, until September 2024.
The KDP has also come into conflict with the Iraqi central government and the Constitutional Court over its oil contracts. In general, the decisions of the court have shifted power towards the central government and away from the autonomous Kurdish region. The KDP has kicked back, threatening to withdraw itself completely from the political process in Baghdad if the recent ruling remains unchanged.
