Kurdistan Region's Judicial Council Condemns Federal Supreme Court's Ruling on Quota Seats
In a recent development, Abdul-Jabbar Aziz Hassan, the head of the Judicial Council of Kurdistan Region, issued a stern statement on Wednesday, condemning the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq's latest ruling regarding quota seats. The ruling has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from Kurdish authorities.
Hassan emphasized the paramount importance of upholding the constitutional articles of the Kurdistan Region, asserting that they are already in compliance with the law. He underscored that all entities, including the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, must respect these constitutional provisions and refrain from attempting to alter them under false pretexts.
Furthermore, Hassan highlighted the Kurdistan Region's right to exercise its constitutional prerogatives within the framework of the Iraqi state, but criticized the Federal Supreme Court for overstepping its legal boundaries. He pointed out that the Court's recent decision, which annulled quota seats reserved for minority groups, was a violation of constitutional provisions and an overreach of its powers.
The controversy revolves around Article 36 of the Kurdistan Parliamentary Election Law, which reserved seats for Chaldeans, Syrians, Assyrians, Armenians, and Turkmens. However, the Federal Supreme Court's ruling on February 21 nullified these reserved seats, prompting backlash from Kurdish authorities.
In response to these developments, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has set June 10 as the date for parliamentary elections, reaffirming the region's commitment to democratic processes. These elections, held every four years, play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the Kurdistan Region.
With approximately 3.6 million eligible voters in the Kurdistan Region, the upcoming parliamentary elections hold significant importance for the region's democratic future. The dispute over quota seats and the Federal Supreme Court's intervention adds a layer of complexity to an already contentious political environment.
As tensions escalate between Kurdish authorities and the Federal Supreme Court, the Kurdistan Region braces for a critical juncture in its political trajectory. The outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections will undoubtedly shape the region's future direction and relations with the federal government in Baghdad.