They discussed “the latest steps and preparations for Kurdistan’s parliamentary election and the procedures taken to make it succeed,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
The IHEC commended the Kurdish presidency for ensuring the process will be successful, added the statement.
In June, President Nechirvan Barzani set October 20 as the date for the vote, two years after its originally scheduled date. The election has been mired in difficulties, mainly because of tensions between the political parties - particularly differences between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - exacerbated by interference from Baghdad.
Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, told reporters in a joint news conference with head of the IHEC Omed Ahmed that the presidency supports all efforts by the commission to “provide a fair chance to all political parties, candidates and voters.”
Ahmed said in the press conference that the meeting with the Kurdish presidency was “important.”
“We talked about this week which was full of activities related to the election process. We told them that the preparations are going as per the schedule,” he noted.
The IHEC will open an office in Erbil to oversee coordination of the election, instead of running the vote from Baghdad, upon a request from President Barzani.
The vote was also discussed during President Barzani’s meeting with new United States Consul General Steve Bitner on Wednesday .
“Both sides also stressed the importance of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections and hoped for a successful voting process,” said a statement from the Presidency.
