ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Region’s parliament has approved a law for an independent electoral commission, coming another step closer toward independence from Iraq.
The legislation authorizes the commission to hold elections, referendums and fix dates for voting without having to refer to Baghdad.
The law makes reference to “Kurdistan,” not the Kurdistan Region, making it applicable in all territories controlled by the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government since June, when the KRG moved forces into areas it considers its own, and that were abandoned by Iraqi forces retreating under a jihadi-led advance.
The law compels the KRG to form the electoral and referendum body within 90 days from the day it was passed. It specifies that the commission will be made up of nine commissioners from different political parties in Kurdistan, with two seats reserved for minorities.
Earlier this month Kurdish President Massoud Barzani delivered a speech in the Kurdistan parliament assuring MPs that independence has international support and asking deputies to pass a law on forming an election commission.
The president has vowed to go ahead with the plan for statehood if Baghdad fails to shift its policy towards Erbil.
The two have been at loggerheads over oil, territory, Peshmerga and sovereign powers for the last several years.
The fall of Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, to Islamic State militants last month has encouraged the KRG to take a tougher tone with Baghdad.
Erbil has stressed it would not negotiate with Baghdad over control of natural resources or on the territories newly controlled by the Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk, Nineveh and Diyala provinces.
