“Sulaimani can be much more advanced than it currently is…” KDP deputy leader Nechirvan Barzani said at a rally in Sulaimani, emphasizing the party’s commitment “to be able to present the greatest service to Sulaimani.”
Barzani, who is also the president of the Kurdistan Region, assured the crowd that the KDP has endeavored to serve all parts of the Kurdistan Region equally and without discrimination.
He stressed the potential for Sulaimani to achieve greater development, urging the people to give the KDP a chance in the upcoming election. “I ask you,” Barzani said, “Sulaimani and this area in general, this time, even if for once, try the KDP.”
“We assure you that the KDP will keep its promises. We assure you that [the KDP] will not have shortcomings when it comes to the welfare and prosperity of this area and only with your support [the KDP] will achieve it,” Barzani added.
During a speech at Duhok, Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), urged the people of the province to "gather votes and vote for the only party that can have an effect."
Talabani expressed confidence in the PUK's ability to bring change “with your support, with the voice of all the people of Duhok and Badinan…”
He noted the PUK's successes over the past two years, citing the appointment Rebwar Taha, a PUK candidate, as the governorship of Kirkuk in August following a contested vote, as well as securing court victories in Baghdad.
“With the support of the people of Badinan, I need one more victory. I want to turn Duhok, Badinan… green,” Talabani said, referring to the PUK’s primary color, and encouraging greater party backing.
Ali Bapir, leader of the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), also held a rally Monday in Sulaimani province’s Ranya.
“Those who give their votes [to those] who have been tried for at least 30 years … will have regrets,” Bapir said, adding that ruling parties should not need to campaign.
“No one is holding you back. You are the ruler, do as you deem right, instead of only saying it,” Bapir said.
The KDP and PUK have held the most positions in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
“We have not built our work on opposing someone. No, let us all gather and serve this country, serve this people,” Bapir said.
Bapir during his campaign speeches has repeatedly criticized the division of the region into two spheres of influence between the two ruling parties and called for governance to follow Islamic principles.
During his party’s first campaign rally this election in Erbil, KDP leader Masoud Barzani emphasized unity among the diverse people of Kurdistan to strengthen the Kurdistan Region.
Early voting for the Kurdistan Region elections will begin on Friday and regular voting on Sunday. The official campaigning period will end on Tuesday.
