ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An independent candidate in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections announced his withdrawal from the race on Saturday, saying he realized he could not win without the support of a party or a tribe. Dilzar Hassan was running as an independent in Erbil. At the start of his campaign, he said his goal was for the parliament to be representative of the people, not just the political parties. He decided to withdraw after realizing that achieving that goal was impossible. “In our country, no independent individual can overcome the dominance of parties, groups, and tribes. I am not disappointed in my people, but we need stronger civil efforts and media to foster more civility so that individuals can have their own independent voice, rather than relying on parties, groups, or tribes,” Hassan told Rudaw. Hassan said that he decided to withdraw from the vote voluntarily and no party had pressured him to quit the race. His decision comes a week ahead of the election date and just three days before the campaigning period ends. Hassan is the first independent candidate to quit after the start of official campaigning. “If you are not sure of the outcome of anything, it is better to quit,” he said. At least two other independent candidates quit before the campaign began. Jalal Pareshan, a former parliament member from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Hamko, an Erbil-based comedian, both decided to pull out of the race in August. Pareshan said he would campaign for the KDP. According to the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission, candidates cannot quit after their names are confirmed by the electoral body. However, if a candidate announces their withdrawal and goes on to gain enough votes for a seat in the legislature, their election will not be confirmed and they will be blocked from entering the parliament. Some 1,191 candidates are vying for the 100-seat Kurdistan parliament - 823 men and 368 women, including 38 candidates for five minority-quota seats. The vote takes place on October 20.
