ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Foreign missions and political parties in the Kurdistan Region have expressed their support for the newly appointed date for the region’s legislative elections, despite concerns over multiple previous delays.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani announced on Wednesday that October 20 has been set as the date for the Region’s general polls, a process that has faced repeated postponements.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) welcomed the new date, reiterating its “readiness” to collaborate with the federal Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to ensure inclusive, free, and fair elections with full participation from women and all components of Kurdistan Region society.

Thomas Seiler, the ambassador of the European Union Advisory Mission to Iraq, highlighted the close cooperation between his office, Baghdad, Erbil, and all Kurdish political parties to achieve this milestone. “Political decisions in KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] will again have full democratic legitimacy,” he stated.

The Canadian embassy’s office in Erbil and the French consulate in Erbil also expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region’s democracy and stability, emphasizing the importance of free and fair elections.

Originally scheduled for October 2022, the elections have been delayed multiple times due to political disputes and legal challenges. Relations between the region’s main political forces, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), have been particularly strained, contributing to the political deadlock.

“This date is not the date that everyone agreed on, but it is the date that we ultimately chose. There is no other solution other than holding the Kurdistan parliamentary elections,” said Kurdistan Region Presidency Spokesperson Dilshad Shahab at a press conference. He added that authorities will adhere to the schedule and cooperate with Iraq’s electoral body to facilitate the process.

A significant ruling by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court in February declared the 11 quota seats in the Kurdistan Region’s parliament reserved for ethnic and religious minorities as “unconstitutional,” complicating minority representation. The lawsuit leading to the ruling was filed by the PUK and a Sulaimani-based Christian party.

The KDP, in response, announced a boycott of the vote, which was then scheduled for June 10, expressing concerns about the minority quota seats being controlled by Baghdad. Several Christian and Turkmen parties joined the boycott. However, the KDP announced on Wednesday that it has begun preparations for the October elections.

PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira welcomed the new date, stating their opposition to any further delays. He emphasized that rigging would be “impossible” as the elections will be supervised by the federal electoral body. He also noted that the PUK and other political parties were not consulted about the new date.

Shaswar Abulwahid, leader of the opposition New Generation Movement, acknowledged the date is later than desired but stressed the importance of the elections for overcoming the current unfavorable situation in Kurdistan.

Officials from the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) also expressed their approval of the new date.

The Iraqi government has pledged full support for the electoral process. Federal government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi emphasized the commitment to ensuring the elections reflect the true will of the Kurdish people and contribute to stability and development.

IHEC’s media team head, Imad Jamil, also welcomed the new date and confirmed that preparations for the elections will commence promptly. "The election date is very appropriate and we welcome it," he said.