ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A Turkmen candidate shocked many by winning massive support from Peshmerga in early voting, according to her party, because the sole female list head put the security needs and coexistence of the Kurdistan Region over ethnic politics in her campaigning.
"This victory is due to the work we have done on coexistence, our national stance on protecting the achievements of the Kurdistan Region,” said Mona Qahwachi on Sunday.
It was the second time she headed the Turkmen Reform Party's list. Official results from the electoral commission are expected by Wednesday. Qahwachi won 1,053 votes in the 2013 election. In early voting for Peshmerga and other security forces, she said she won 1,959 votes.
Turkmen parties competed for five minority quota seats in the parliamentary election on Sunday. Qahwachi was the only woman list head in the 2018 election.
“We work for the entire society without discrimination. We defend Peshmerga, police and security forces. That is why these forces, in addition to the Turkmen people, have voted for us in all the four provinces of the Kurdistan Region,” Mona Qahwachi said.
"This victory is due to the work we have done on coexistence, our national stance on protecting the achievements of the Kurdistan Region,” said Mona Qahwachi on Sunday.
It was the second time she headed the Turkmen Reform Party's list. Official results from the electoral commission are expected by Wednesday. Qahwachi won 1,053 votes in the 2013 election. In early voting for Peshmerga and other security forces, she said she won 1,959 votes.
Turkmen parties competed for five minority quota seats in the parliamentary election on Sunday. Qahwachi was the only woman list head in the 2018 election.
“We work for the entire society without discrimination. We defend Peshmerga, police and security forces. That is why these forces, in addition to the Turkmen people, have voted for us in all the four provinces of the Kurdistan Region,” Mona Qahwachi said.
Turkmen primarily reside in Erbil and Duhok. They have their own language and a deep-rooted history in the Kurdistan Region, resulting in many successful business owners, land developers, and educators.
The Turkmen Reform Party wants to prioritize livelihoods over empty promises in the parliament.
“We are not only about slogans. Rather, we will turn our slogans into action. During the election campaigning, we said our priority would be working on the reform bill which will improve people’s lives," she said
Some claim the Turkmen Development Party gets support from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
“This is aimed at defaming us. I have taken a stance on all national questions and matters related to living conditions of the people of Kurdistan. I have defended people. I don’t think any Turkmen candidate can serve the people of Kurdistan as well as I do," she said.
Turkmen and Christian parties are allocated a total of 11 seats in the parliament. Ethno-religious groups like Yezidis, Kakais, and Fayli Kurds have argued they too deserve minority quota seats in the legislative branch.
“In addition to Turkmen population, other people vote for us too in the same way Kurdish parties win the votes of Turkmen people and other ethnicities. It is normal for Peshmerga and other ethnic groups to vote for us,” she added.
She has been asked why so many Turkmen are unwilling to speak to the media about the election.
“Some people avoid talking to the media. Turkmens have a special attitude which makes them not very open to media,” she previously said.
Participation in the election is estimated to be 57.98 percent based on party estimates. Vote counting continued on Monday.
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