Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Claudio Cordone, the UN Deputy Special Representative for Iraq and Officer in Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region.

The main focus of the meeting, as highlighted by a statement from the Prime Minister's office, was the ongoing efforts to ensure a smooth and fair electoral process. The UN official expressed gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for its support in coordinating with the Iraqi High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and facilitating the necessary preparations.

Prime Minister Barzani underscored the importance of conducting the elections in a free and fair environment, free from violations and fraud. He emphasized the critical role of the United Nations and international observers in ensuring the integrity of the election process.

The Kurdistan Region is set to hold its parliamentary elections on October 20, 2024. The election will determine the composition of the 100-seat parliament, with 95 seats up for contest and the remaining five seats reserved for various communities within the region.

According to IHEC, the election will feature participation from two alliances, 13 political parties, and 124 independent candidates.