Polls have closed in Iraq’s parliamentary elections that saw turnout that was at historic lows in the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. The election was marred by allegations of voter fraud, particularly in the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas.
The western world, however, reacted positively to the vote that went ahead with a few security incidents. Nine Federal Police were killed in an attack in Kirkuk province.
Official results will be released within a few days.
3:19 a.m.
Maliki taking an early lead in unofficial results: report
Media close to former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki claimed his State of Law coalition is taking an early lead as votes are counted.
"Observers confirmed that the number of votes for the State of Law coalition in Basra, Karbala, Dhi Qar, Muthana, Babil, Wasit, and other areas in Baghdad have increased," reported Afaq media.
It will likely be a number of days before official results are released.
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2:31 a.m.
Kurdish opposition parties form united front
Four opposition parties have formed a united front rejecting the vote result and the violence that briefly broke out in Sulaimani, vowing a dedication to non-violence.
Representatives of Komal, Gorran, CDJ, and KIU held a joint press conference.
Komal has vowed to “fiercely defend the rights of the voters and the votes of every single one of our voters,” amid allegations of fraud and demand for a re-do of the election in the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas.
"We reject the preliminary results that have reached us,” Komal official Abdulsatar Majid told reporters, saying the will begin discussion to find a resolution.
Komal has joined with Gorran, CDJ, KIU, and the Kurdistan Communist Party to reject the election result and demand a new vote be held amid allegations that the PUK committed fraud.
A representative from Gorran condemned the “attack” on the party’s headquarters in Sulaimani.
Gorran claimed its offices had come under attack by PUK forces. A large crowd gathered in the area and the situation remained tense but relatively calm. A PUK official denied there was any attack.
"We assure them that Gorran will never resort to violence,” said the official, describing the incident “embarrassing” because it targeted a civilian movement.
Gorran does not have an armed force.
He said his party remains committed to the civilian struggle, a stance echoed by a spokesperson from CDJ.
The CDJ official added that they will notify embassies, consulate generals, and the UN of the "fraud" that took place.
"The people's livelihoods were stolen. Let their votes not be stolen as well."
The KIU agreed that votes have “surely been manipulated.”
1.25 a.m.
Shiite militia leader blames US embassy for low voter turnout
Qais al-Khazali, the leader of a militia faction in Hashd al-Shaabi known for his pro-Iranian stance and anti-Western rhetoric, has blamed the low voter turnout on the US embassy.
“Despite the low turnout, one of the reasons of which was due to the American embassy scaring [the people] of Daesh [ISIS] targeting polling stations,” said Khazali in a tweet.
He congratulated the Iraqi people on the “success” of the election and said he hopes the upcoming government tackles corruption.
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1.12 a.m.
Salim al-Jabouri calls on election commission to consider complaints objectively
“We call on the commission to consider all the objections given to it,” Salim al-Jabouri, the incumbent Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, told journalists.
He called on the commission to review the complaints objectively.
“We, in our list, have filed complaints for some of the violations that took place,” said Jabouri, a prominent Sunni politician running under the Wataniya Coalition.
“Yes, turnout was very low,” he lamented.
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12.50 a.m.
CDJ: ‘Sufficient evidence votes have been tampered with’
The Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) has issued a statement saying it believes “large scale fraud has been committed” in Iraq’s parliamentary election, particularly is Sulaimani.
“We, the Coalition of Democracy and Justice, would like to clarify our position on today’s election results. We believe that large scale fraud has been committed. We closely observed and monitored the election process, and found a significant discrepancy between the results and the pre-election polling and predictions. We believe there is sufficient evidence that your votes have been tampered with.
“We ask our fellow civilians to defend their vote, their dignity, and reject this fraud. We, as CDJ, reject the results released, and we will make every effort and take every necessary and legal step to support and protect your vote. We will inform the Iraqi High Electoral Commission (IHEC) that we will not accept the current results as they stand. We have compiled evidence to support our claim; a recounting of dozens of ballot boxes shows results that contradict the electronic receipt.
“Citizens of Kurdistan, like the ruling political parties stole your salary, your public funds and suppressed you politically and economically, now they are trying to steal your vote. We will not allow that to happen.”
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12.12 a.m.
Gorran, CDJ, Komal, KIU and Kurdistan Communist Party call for election rerun
Following preliminary results in Sulaimani that suggested a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) victory, the Change (Gorran) Movement, the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), Komal, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and the Kurdistan Communist Party held a meeting to discuss their response to alleged election fraud.
“We reject the total process of the election and its results, and we will not abide to the results,” the parties said in a joint statement, according to Payam TV, a Komal affiliated media outlet.
“We call for the repeating of the parliamentary election of Iraq in Kurdistan Region, including Kirkuk and Kurdistani territories outside the Region.”
“Victory for the determination of our righteous people,” the statement added.
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11.55 p.m.
KDP rejects Sulaimani result, claims landslide victory elsewhere
The KDP has claimed a “landslide” in Duhok, Erbil, and areas of Mosul, but has joined other parties in rejecting the result in Sulaimani.
The “KDP is the strongest and the most popular party in Kurdistan,” tweeted Hemin Hawrami, senior assistant to president of the party Masoud Barzani.
He claimed that exit polls reveal a “landslide majority” in Duhok, Erbil, and Kurdistani areas of Mosul.
He said the party joined all the others in Sulaimani, “except PUK,” to reject results there, alleging systematic fraud occurred in the province and called for a recount.
Gorran, Komal, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), and the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) are reportedly meeting in Sulaimani to discuss their response to the allegations of fraud in the province.
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11.43 p.m.
Kirkuk’s acting governor and Turkmen leader both call for manual recount
Rakan Saeed, acting governor of Kirkuk, has rejected the unofficial election results in the disputed city.
He called on the three presidencies of Iraq to move polling boxes immediately to the national center in Baghdad, according to his Facebook account.
He also called on the three presidencies to “impose manual counting” of votes.
Arshad Salihi, head of Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC), also rejected the preliminary results and called for manual counting.
“All the fear we had [before the elections] became real today. The proof [for this] is that today the people of Kirkuk are protesting [the unofficial results],” Salihi said in a presser.
He indirectly accused the PUK of fraudulence, claiming Kirkuk’s electronic voting machines were tested in Sulaimani, making their results suspect.
“We were surprised by the fraudulence through the electronic voting machines,” he said.
He also called on security forces to “secure” ballot boxes.
“We call on security forces in Kirkuk to secure the boxes and prevent playing with them.”
He called on the election commission to “impose manual counting of votes in Kirkuk.”
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11:33 p.m.
Low turnout of 44.52 percent: commission
Less than half of the electorate turned out to vote, according to official numbers.
Iraq’s election commission has announced that turnout was 44.52 percent.
These numbers for the first election after ISIS that was hailed as a demonstration of the country’s recovery are a dramatic drop from the 2014 vote when 63 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.
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11.12 p.m.
Governor says no security concerns in Erbil after reports of violence in Sulaimani
Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi congratulated the province for the “democratic process” of the election, in an interview with Rudaw.
Reacting to reports of violence in Sulaimani, he called for peace and noted that “there is no insecurity in Erbil.”
The latest unofficial preliminary results in Erbil put the KDP in a comfortable lead:
KDP: 37,640
PUK: 13,512
New Generation: 7,347
CDJ: 5,792
Gorran: 4,149
Komal: 3,246
KIU: 1,592
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11.07 p.m.
UK MidEast minister congratulates Iraq on election
Britain's Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt MP has issued a statement congratulating Iraq on its election.
"Today was an historic day for Iraq. I congratulate the Iraqi people on another successful election," said Burt.
"I also congratulate the Iraqi security forces and electoral authorities for ensuring a peaceful and orderly ballot in a challenging environment including regrettable reports of attacks aimed at disrupting today’s vote.
"We look forward to the announcement soon of the full and final result and will work with all political groups to encourage formation of an effective, inclusive government that addresses the needs and hopes of all Iraqi citizens.
"The UK and Iraq enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, share great hopes for the future and a commitment to work together in our common interest. We look forward to working with the next government to help deliver stability, security and prosperity for all Iraqis."
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10.35 p.m.
PUK forces surround Gorran’s Sulaimani headquarters: reports
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) forces have surrounded the Sulaimani headquarters of the Change (Gorran) Movement, according to Gorran’s official media.
Gorran claims its headquarters is under heavy weapons attack. Rudaw has not been able to verify whether an attack is taking place.
“A force has attacked the [Zaragata] hill [Gorran’s headquarters] after a command from Lahur Talabani,” who is the PUK’s counterterrorism force chief, reported KNN.
Gorran called on its supporters to defend the headquarters.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has said “violence in Sulaimani must be stopped and attacks on any party headquarters must be ended immediately,” according to a tweet from Hemin Hawrami, senior assistant to Masoud Barzani.
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9.34 p.m.
US embassy in Iraq congratulates Iraqi people on election
“The United States congratulates the Iraqi people on today’s parliamentary election. Citizens from every ethnic and religious group, and from all 18 provinces, including those internally displaced, made their voices heard,” the embassy said in a statement on Saturday evening.
“The newly elected members of parliament will have the important task of forming an inclusive government, responsive to the needs of all Iraqis. We hope this process moves quickly, and on the constitutional timeline, so that Iraq can continue moving toward a more secure, prosperous, and brighter future.
“The United States stands ready to partner with Iraqi leaders as we continue to build a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship between our two nations – a strategic partnership based on the Strategic Framework Agreement that will contribute to stability in the region and growing peace and prosperity in Iraq.”
Photo: AFP
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8.30 p.m.
Bomb attached to car kills 3 in Kirkuk
Two voters and an observer were killed by a bomb attached to their car in a voting station near the town of al-Khan south of Kirkuk, sources have told Reuters.
ISIS earlier claimed responsibility for the attack.
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8.04 p.m.
Sulaimani results as we get them
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK): 2,420
Change (Gorran) Movement: 2,165
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP): 674
New Generation: 645
Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ): 630
Komal: 406
Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU): 359
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7.32 p.m.
PUK 'reclaims' Sulaimani, Gorran demands manual recount
According to Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) media, the party has won in 40 polling stations in Sulaimani city, its traditional stronghold. The Change (Gorran) Movement claims the electronic voting system has been hacked, and has demanded a manual recount.
The Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) and Gorran said in a joint statement that they "will not be silent on the stealing and exchanging of votes," according to Xendan TV, the official media of the CDJ.
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7.28 p.m.
Erbil results as we get them
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP): 1,442
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK): 469
New Generation: 408
Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ): 313
Change (Gorran) Movement: 266
Komal: 182
Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU): 174
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6.00 p.m.
Polls have officially closed in Iraq's parliamentary election. Counting has begun.
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5.09 p.m.
Voter turnout in Kurdistan Region as of 4pm
Erbil 48%
Sulaimani 40%
Duhok 55%
Amedi 69%
Mergasor 70%
Simel 79 %
Ruwanduz 68%
Raniya 55 %
Shaqlawa 52 %
Darbandikhan 72 %
Taqtaq 61 %
Khalifan 63 %
Koya 40 %
Halabja 46 %
Soran 63 %
Choman 72 %
Penjwen 51 %
Rudaw reporter in Kirkuk said the voter turnout out exceeded 35 percent
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4:39 p.m.
Low turnout could cost Kurds Kirkuk: Qubad Talabani
Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the KRG, warned if the Kurdish turnout continues to be low in Kirkuk “we will lose it.”
Describing the current turnout as "catastrophic," he urged people to head to polling stations during the remaining two hours of voting “to prove Kirkuk’s identity as Kurdistan.”
“Put aside all the complaints you have. If we do not do that, we will lose our Kurdish seats in the Jerusalem of Kurdistan to the Arabs and Turkmens and those wanting to fail Kurdistan.”
Kurds view the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk as the Jerusalem of Kurdistan.
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3:24 p.m.
Voter turnout for Iraq at 40 percent, lower in Kurdistan
Midway through Iraq's parliamentary elections, participation is at 40 percent across the country, according to Iraq's Independent Election Commission.
It is lower in the Kurdistan Region with no major city exceeding 40 percent.
About 27 percent of eligible voters in Sulaimani province have voted. Duhok province was also at 27 percent, while Erbil province was at 26 percent.
The city of Soran was the highest at 43 percent, followed by Zakho at 40 percent, Akre at 38 percent, and Halabja at 30 percent.
The disputed city of Kirkuk's participation stood at 35 percent, according to the IHEC. Diyala, which includes disputed areas, was at 23 percent.
The Iraqi capital had a 20-percent turnout as of midday.
Al-Diwaniyah topped the list at 28, followed by Babylon at 27, Maysan at 23, and Muthanna at 22.
In pictures: Sparse participation at polling stations in Sulaimani
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People in Sulaimani raise their inked fingers after voting in Iraq's parliamentary election on May 12, 2018. Photo: Sartip Othman | Rudaw
2:33 p.m.
Midday: 27-percent voter turnout in Sulaimani province
As of noon on Saturday, voter turnout reached 27 percent in Sulaimani numbering about 371,000 voters, Hawre Tofiq, the head local branch of Iraq's Independent High Election Commission, announced.
There are about 1.3 million eligible voters in the province.
Sulaimani province (including Halabja) has the largest voter base in the Kurdistan Region.
With the addition of Duhok and Erbil provinces, Kurdistan has 3,144,730 eligible voters, according to the commission.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and voting machines automatically turn off at 6 p.m.
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1:53 p.m.
Iraqi commission: Voting system ‘automatically’ shuts down at 6 p.m.
Ali Qader, the head of Iraq's Independent High Election Commission in Kurdistan Region, told Rudaw that there can be no voting extension.
"There will be no extension of voting hours as electoral devices will automatically turn off at 6 p.m.,” he said.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. Weak turnout has been reported in the Kurdistan Region and in Baghdad.
The new voting system consists of three devices: a biometric voter verification device via thumbprint and voter ID card scanners, a ballot scanner, and a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) that transmits vote counts to a satellite, which then relays preliminary results to IHEC’s headquarter in Baghdad.
These are the first elections which Iraq has used the systems.
“My brother-in-law just came back from polling station with clean fingers. The matching device could not read any of his ten finger prints despite having gone through biometric enrollment...” tweeted Hiwa Afandi, the head of the KRG Department of Information Technology.
My brother-in-law just came back from polling station with clean fingers. The matching device could not read any of his ten finger prints despite having gone through biometric enrollmen. So easy it is not to let people vote. The worst excuse ever.
— Hiwa Afandi (@HiwaAfandi) May 12, 2018
Afandi's Twitter description states: "Tweets & RTs are not necessarily endorsements or KRG's views."
Kurdish and Iraqi politicians have encouraged their constituents to get out and vote, despite any technical problems.
Memory cards from each voting center in Iraq will be taken to Baghdad 6-8 hours after polls close at 6 p.m.. Preliminary, unofficial results will be available 24-48 hours after they vote, the commission has said.
Shams Net, the organization hired by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission to implement the new voting system, announced that three polling stations have not been opened in Duhok and Sheikhan.
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12:56 p.m.
Hadi al-Amiri: There have been some technical problems, but no fears of fraud
“There have been some technical problems with new electoral devices but this should not discourage people to participate in the election,” said Amiri who head the Fatih (Conquest) Alliance.
Fatih is in a coalition with a coalition of Shiite-led Hashd al-Shaabi groups.
Amiri is ahead of the Badr organization and is the main political voice of the Hashd.
"I trust Iraq’s High Election Commission and am not afraid of any election fraud," he told Rudaw while casting his vote in Baghdad.
Amiri is close to Muhandis.
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12:29 p.m.
Kurdish security head: I hope we achieve a big victory
Kurdish security chancellor Masrour Barzani expressed his hopes that the elected politicians will continue ensure the security of the people in the Kurdistan Region
“I hope those who receive the trust of people become an strong protector of the people of Kurdistan,” Masrour Barzani, a senior KDP leader, told reporters.
After casting his ballot, Barzani said he was "optimistic."
“I hope we achieve a big victory," he said. “I hope this process ends successfully and without a problem.
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12:03 p.m.
Deputy Hashd leader Muhandis: Kurds will have an active and key role
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Shiite al-Hashd al-Shaabi, noted that the Kurdish people have played a major role in Iraq and that won’t change.
"There is a strong historical relation between Baghdad and Erbil,” Muhandis told Rudaw. “And Kurds will have an active and key role in the future government, because Kurds are one of the main ethnic groups in Iraq."
The Hashd al-Shaabi was formally recognized as a paramilitary force within the Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) in December 2016 by parliament, as they fought in the ISIS conflict.
Hashd and Kurdish Peshmerga units had deadly clashes after Iraqi forces supported by the Hashd entered Kirkuk and other disputed or Kurdistani areas in October 2017.
Muhandis commented that Kurds have had a major role in Iraq and will maintain their status.
Peshmerga and other Kurdish security forces are yet to be redeployed to the disputed areas, claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
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11:48 p.m.
Hashd group open to Kurds obtaining parliament speakership
Qais al-Khazali, the head of the Iranian-funded Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, voted in Baghdad.
He was asked about the possibility of a Kurdish politician obtaining the speakership in parliament.
"The position of speaker in the Iraqi parliament might be in the interest of Kurds, yet there has not been a formal request. We are ready to discuss any position with Kurds," said Khazali, whose brigades are a part of Hashd al-Shaabi.
"We have a good relation with all political parties of Kurdistan and will try dialogue even with those who tried to separate Kurdistan from Iraq," replied Khazali.
11:40 a.m.
Komal leader urges Kurdish party unity to ensure rights
"I hope that after the election, all political parties of Kurdistan open a new page and unite", Ali Bapir, the leader of the Islamic League (Komal), told Rudaw today.
He voted in the Kurdistan Region's capital of Erbil.
Bapir said it is the responsibility of unified Kurdish parties to provide "each group" justice and ensure their rights.
"The unity of parties must be established on a right principle, which is the principle of justice by giving the rights and duties of each group. In a healthy society, people will choose their representative and there is no alternative way," he explained.
11:22 p.m.
Moqtada al-Sadr warns of 'infiltrators and partisans'
Firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr encouraged a fair election, where voters can reach the polling stations safely.
Photo: Jawabna FB
"Thank you to the security forces for meeting their task of protecting the voters. They should also be careful and keep at bay infiltrators and partisans and ensure a smooth process and that voters can reach polling stations with ease," read a statement from his Facebook page.
Sadr's Sa'irun Alliance is in coalition with the Iraqi Communist Party and has appealed to Iraq's poor and disenfranchised.
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11:13 a.m.
Abadi votes at school in Baghdad
The leader of the Nasr (Victory) Coalition, Haider al-Abadi, voted at a school in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
He was happily searched by security forces, and spoke with staff at the local polling station.
Abadi is the incumbent Iraqi prime minister, but faces stiff competition from Dawa Party leader Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition.
He has campaigned on capitalizing on the ISIS defeat through fighting corruption.
Photo: Abadi FB
An estimated 24,349,000 people are eligible to cast a ballot across Iraq.
Abadi was the only Shiite list candidate to campaign in the Kurdistan Region.
The number of voters in the Kurdistan Region is about 3,140,000 — 1,389,000 people in Sulaimani, 1,194,000 in Erbil, and 718,000 in Duhok.
There are 1,257 polling stations across the Kurdistan Region of which 498 are in Erbil, 503 in Sulaimani and 256 in Duhok.
10:47 a.m.
Gorran hopes for peace and democracy through election process
Omar Said Ali, the general-coordinator of Gorran (Change Movement), voted in Sulaimani.
"We are hopeful to have a peaceful and democratic election with high participation of people," said Ali.
"The election outcome will determine how the current problems will be resolved," told Rudaw.
The party currently holds the third-most seats in the Iraqi parliament among Kurdish parties, but faces a challenging election with the death of its founder and leader Nawshirwan Mustafa in 2017.
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10:31
Election body weighs extending voting hours amid technical issues
Many polling stations across the Kurdistan Region have not been opened on Saturday morning due to technical faults with the electoral devices, and the local head of the election commission said voting hours could be extended "if needed."
Shams Net, the organization hired by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission to implement the new voting system, announced that three polling stations have not been opened in Duhok and Sheikhan.
Badal Abdulbaqi, the head of the organization, told Rudaw that voting stations Znar and Nissan in Duhok and one at a refugee camp in Sheikhan town in Nineveh province have not been opened.
He said the electronic devices had not arrived at the polling stations yet.
Rudaw's reporter in Zakho reported 11 polling stations have not been opened yet.
A Rudaw reporter in Soran said seven stations there haven't yet opened.
At Kurazhar polling station in Shiladze in Duhok province near Amedi, doors did not open.
Mazin Abdulqadir, the head of the Iraqi election commission in the Kurdistan Region, said the problems are not difficult to solve.
“In general, we have not faced big problems. In any station where the devices have technical issues, we have sent extra devices, or we have sent maintenance teams to fix them,” Abdulqadir, told Rudaw.
“There have been long delays at any polling station. If needed, we could extend the voting hours,” he added.
Voting began at 7 a.m. and Iraqi officials have said they will not extend the voting hours past 6 p.m.
10:01 a.m.
New Generation leader encourages active participation
"This election will bring a big change to the political map of Kurdistan Region,” Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, the leader of the New Generation, voting in Sulaimani told NRT.
Photo: New Generation FB
Qadir, a businessman turned politician, has tried to appeal to Iraq's youth. Half of the country is estimated to be under the age of 33.
“Citizens can change the country by their votes, so they have to be aware of the power of their vote and actively participate,” said Qadir.
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9:54 p.m.
CDJ leader Salih hopes for peace and democracy to prevail
Barham Salih, the leader of the newly-founded Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), told Rudaw, "all reformist political parties of Kurdistan have to unite after the election to defend the rights of Kurds in Baghdad and end this horrible living condition."
Salih, a longtime PUK member, has created division in its stronghold of Sulaimani.
He hoped for the election process to be democratic and peaceful. He also urged people to participate to form their own future.
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9:42 a.m.
Maliki promises 'no terrorist acts' on election day
Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki led Iraq as ISIS formed and threatened to overrun the entire country.
“The Americans were just being too cautious otherwise ISIS or terrorists do not possess such powers. They heard threats from Baathists and terrorists who said they’d strike the polling stations, but they’re too weak to do such a thing,” Maliki said on election day.
The head of the Dawa Party promised Iraqis safety on voting day.
“We once held elections and Baghdad wasn’t even under our control and the situation now is different. The threats were meant to have a negative effect, but I reassure all peoples that there’ll be no terrorist acts,” said Maliki.
Maliki, who heads the powerful State of Law Coalition and is currently one of Iraq’s three vice presidents, sees the constitution as the guide for resolving outstanding issues between the federal and regional governments.
“Relations between Baghdad and Erbil are heading towards solving the disputes and for the first time in the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad there’s talk of solving the outstanding issues through the constitution and because we’ve agreed to return and rely on the constitution then there hopefully will remain no disputes,” said Maliki.
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9:25 a.m.
Jabouri: 'Kurds are a key decision maker'
Salim al-Jabouri, an influential Sunni politician and the incumbent speaker of parliament, emphasized the participation of all groups in shaping the future of parliament and government.
"Kurds are a key decision maker. Without their participation the future government cannot be formed,” said Jabouri.
He is running on the Wataniya Coalition list with secular Shiite Ayad Allawi, a former Iraqi prime minister.
Jabouri said that the future government and parliament has to be formed with the active participation of all groups and no one has to think of excluding any group.
Arab Sunnis, who bore the brunt of destruction in the ISIS conflict, are fragmented entering the 2018 elections.
9:18 a.m.
Kurdistan Islamic leader Bahadin calls voting a 'religious and national duty' for Iraqis
Among Kurdistan's Islamic parties, the KIU currently holds the most seats in the Iraqi parliament.
“We hope for the process to be successful and far from fraud,” Salahadin Bahadin, the head of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), told reporters in Erbil, urging voter to have a giant turnout because “this process is national and it is a religious and national duty for all of us to carry.”
Bahadin encouraged people in the Kurdistan Region to be united.
“The process is not for the Kurdistan Region and it is for Baghdad so we have to put aside our anger,” Bahadin added. “Let us send a group of good representatives to Baghdad.”
He described the election campaigning in the Kurdistan Region compared to other places as not so rough.
“It is the time for us to be unanimous and share the same view and learn a lesson from the previous phase… We have to return to Baghdad united," urged the Islamic party leader.
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9:02 a.m.
Qubad Talabani encouraged high voter turnout and Kurdish unity on this "historical day."
“Today is a historical day. We are carrying out a duty today to vote for our representatives in Baghdad,” Qubad Talabani told reporters after he voted at the Rawshan Badirkhan polling station in Sulaimani early on Saturday. “I have come to vote as a citizen to express my opinion on the future of my country.”
Voter participation has been a major question.
“We do hope people flock to the polling stations seriously to strengthen the position of Kurdistan in Baghdad” Talabani urged. “I am extending my congratulations to all the parties.”
Photo: Qubad Talabani FB
Like KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, his deputy Qubad Talabani urged Kurdish unity.
“It is very important for us to go to Baghdad with a massive strength,” Talabani voiced. “The campaigning stage has ended. What is really important when go to Baghdad is unity despite our differences.”
Talabani is a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which currently holds the second-most seats in the Iraqi parliament among Kurdish parties.
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8:40 a.m.
Nechirvan Barzani questions voting system
Iraq is utilizing a new digital election process system for the first time in 2018 to verify voters’ identity, read ballots, and transmit data wirelessly to Baghdad.
“The system is new and it is not very easy to learn. According to all the measures, it is very precise…” Barzani explained.
He added in the early special voting for security forces and diaspora, many people did not manage to cast a ballot due to the slowness of the process.
“I hope the commission pays attention to it and takes all the necessary measures to help people vote and not miss this right,” said Barzani.
Kurdish parties have been described as “kingmakers” if they can present a united front in Baghdad post-election.
“Our problem is not posts; our problem is the Kurdistan nation and issues related to the Kurdistan Region, the problem of Article 140, the mechanism of the distribution of revenue. As a main partner of Iraq, it is our right to a have a sovereign post, one of which is the presidency,” said Barzani.
“We hope we are united among ourselves because this will become the only guarantor of our success," reiterated Barzani.
“We should sit together and lay the groundwork for a strategy… If we go to Baghdad fragmented each with two, three, or four seats, we will not be able to achieve anything. But if united, we could do it,” said Barzani. “We must have a strong presence in Baghdad.”
Barzani did not say who he wished to prevail between front-runners, incumbent Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi and former PM Nouri al-Maliki.
“We do not deal with persons, but their agendas,” said Barzani.
Maliki is heading the State of Law Coalition, while Abadi broke away and is heading the Nasr (Victory) Coalition. Both are Dawa Party members with the former being its leader.
“No party will be able to win the number of seats required to form the government. As Kurds, we must altogether put forth our demands. People come and go but the system remains. I hope we reach an agreement based on a program and time frame to resolve our issues,” added Barzani.
The KDP, has not run candidates in Kirkuk, a disputed area, which they describe as “occupied,” while other Kurdish and Kurdistani parties have.
“If we [Kurdish parties] secure a seat or none at all, these areas are disputed and neither Baghdad nor the Kurdistan Region can run its affairs alone,” emphasized Barzani.
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8 a.m.
KDP deputy head cautions against majoritarianism in Iraq
Nechirvan Barzani, the deputy head of the KDP and KRG prime minister, was the first Kurdish leader to cast a ballot together with his son Idris Barzani in the first hour after the polls opened.
“We hope the people of Kurdistan very seriously head to the polling stations and vote. This is very important for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” he said, wishing today’s rain in Erbil does not discourage turnout.
Ruling Shiite party politicians from the Dawa Party have spoken of majoritarianism governance for Iraq.
“No side could alone form the government without a coalition. We do not think the majority government is in the benefit of Iraq as Iraq has been established on the basis of partnership. Without an agreement, the Iraqi government will not enjoy success,” said Barzani.
Given the past experiences Baghdad has experiences with the Kurdistan Region, Barzani hoped for “the impending issues which have emerged since 2005 to be solved through dialogue.”
“This is a completely new phase in Iraq,” said Barzani describing the post-election era. “We have to create a political stability in this country.”
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7:35 p.m.
Voting begins in Iraq's 2018 parliamentary elections
The deputy head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Nechirvan Barzani, cast his vote early on Saturday morning in Erbil.
“Today is an important and historical day. It is a democratic process as the people of Iraq and Kurdistan cast their ballots and elect their representatives to the Iraqi Council of Representatives,” said Barzani in a speech after voting.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 6 p.m.
Iraq will select members to fill 329 seats in its Council of representatives.
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Who? What? Why? Iraq’s election explained
Video by: Robert Edwards and Mehmed Alsafar
Polls are open on Saturday, May 12 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as voters elect a new parliament, the first election after ISIS.
