The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has reported a concerning trend in the lead-up to the Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections, as only two political parties and two coalitions have submitted their lists of candidates thus far.

According to Farhad Asad Shetna, head of the political parties and candidates registration department at the IHEC's Erbil office, the deadline for candidate submissions looms on Thursday, March 28. However, as of Wednesday, a limited number of contenders have come forward. Notably, the Kurdistan Islamic Union, the Turkmen Front, the Sardam Coalition, the Kurdistan Regional Coalition, and 12 independent candidates are among the few who have filed their nominations.

Compounding this issue, the IHEC has drawn attention to significant challenges regarding voter identification. Jumana Ghalai, the IHEC spokesperson, disclosed that over 357,000 individuals in the Kurdistan Region lack fingerprint recognition, posing obstacles to their participation. Concerns have been raised by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) regarding the efficacy of voting machines, with more than 232,000 voters reportedly encountering difficulties.

In response to concerns over electoral representation, the IHEC has assured that the allocation of seats in Halabja province will be determined by the Federal Court's decision, considering voter demographics and infrastructure readiness.

Meanwhile, the political arena is marked by the KDP's refusal to participate, denouncing the elections as "illegal and unconstitutional." This stance was underscored in a statement issued by the party's Political Bureau.

Despite these hurdles, the IHEC has confirmed that 3,789,405 eligible individuals in the Kurdistan Region are poised to cast their votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections. President Nechirvan Barzani has decreed June 10, 2024, as the election date, affirming the Kurdistan Region's commitment to facilitating the electoral process in collaboration with the IHEC.