Erbil, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has officially informed Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of its decision to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region. This announcement follows multiple delays and significant changes to the election mechanism, including the reallocation of minority seats, a crucial demand of the KDP.

IHEC spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalai confirmed the KDP's participation in a statement to Rudaw on Sunday, stating, “The Kurdistan Democratic Party has sent us a letter saying ‘we will participate in the elections.’”

The decision to participate comes after Baghdad allocated five seats for minorities across the Kurdistan Region's three provinces. This move addressed a major concern for the KDP, which had boycotted the elections after an Iraqi top court removed the minority quota seats from the legislature.

According to the revised mechanism, the provinces of Erbil and Sulaimani, controlled by the KDP and its rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) respectively, will each receive one seat for the Christian and Turkmen communities. Duhok, also under KDP control, will receive a seat allocated for the Armenian community.

Ari Harsin, head of the KDP’s branch in Sulaimani, confirmed last week that the party was prepared to participate in the elections following these adjustments.

The parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, initially scheduled for two years ago, have faced numerous delays. The most recent postponement moved the election date from June 10 to a yet-to-be-determined date, with IHEC suggesting September 5 as a potential alternative. The electoral commission reopened registration for political parties on Thursday, enabling the KDP and other previously boycotting Christian and Turkmen parties to register for the upcoming vote.

The new election date remains to be announced as preparations continue under the supervision of IHEC.