IRBIL, Iraq: Voters in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region are set to cast their ballots on Sunday to elect a new parliament, amid rising disenchantment with the political elite.
The elections come after multiple delays, originally scheduled for two years ago, due to disputes between the region’s dominant parties: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Each party is controlled by powerful Kurdish families, with the KDP led by the Barzanis and the PUK by the Talabanis.
While Iraqi Kurdistan is often viewed as a stable enclave in a tumultuous region, activists argue it suffers from issues such as corruption, political repression, and cronyism, much like the rest of Iraq. Despite election rallies, public sentiment has turned sour due to the dire economic conditions. “I am against this government,” stated Dilman Sharif, a civil servant in Sulaimaniyah, urging voters to support opposition parties like New Generation and movements led by dissidents like Lahur Sheikh Jangi.
Political analysts note a growing fatigue with the ruling parties, exacerbated by the erratic payment of salaries for civil servants, which has affected many households. The upcoming elections, with over 1,200 polling stations opening at 7:00 am, could shift power dynamics, particularly with the creation of four new constituencies. However, the KDP is expected to maintain its majority due to its organizational strength.
As the region prepares for elections, the United Nations has expressed hope for renewed democracy, yet many voters, like teacher Sazan Saduala, remain skeptical, believing that the current regime’s power cannot be altered through voting alone.
