Early voting begins in Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Security forces across the Kurdistan Region on Friday headed to the polling stations to cast their ballots during the early voting period two days ahead of the general vote in parliamentary elections.

Around 215,960 members of the security forces are eligible to vote early. The polls opened at 7 am and will close at 6 pm.

The Kurdistan Region elections were originally scheduled for October 2022, but the process has been marred with difficulties due to political disputes between the parties. After several delays, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in June set October 20 as the date for the vote.

There are 165 polling centers opened across the country - 153 in the Kurdistan Region and 12 in Iraqi provinces. The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Body (IHEC) opened centers in Kirkuk, Baghdad, Salahaddin, Nineveh, Wasit, Diyala, and Anbar provinces for the security forces that are on duty outside the Region.

According to IHEC guidelines, voters are not allowed to take their phones with them inside the polling stations.

The election is being monitored by nearly 2000 members of international missions and civil organizations.

The United Nations will have 25 observers, the European Union will have three observers, civil organizations will have 47 observers, and election observation organizations will have 1,604 observers present to monitor the vote, according to head of IHEC media team Imad Jamil.

There are 1,191 candidates vying for the 100-seat Kurdistan parliament - 823 men and 368 women - including 38 candidates for five minority quota seats.

Early voting begins in Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections

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