Message from SRSG Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan on the Kurdistan Regional Parliamentary Elections

Where the people of this Region will be going to the polls on Friday and Sunday to exercise their right to elect their representatives in the new regional parliament.

It is a political representation of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the coming four years.

It will reinvigorate democracy and inject new ideas into its institutions that will address the people’s concerns.

This is all too necessary. The Kurdistan Region has been without a parliament for some times. This election is long overdue.

Elections are an important milestone in the Region’s journey. 

I visited the Kurdistan Region for the first time after assuming my position as Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Iraq and Head of UNAMI.

The Kurdistan Region today is a different region from what it was decades ago.

I was very impressed by the development and the progress that I have witnessed so far.

I am certain many challenges might remain.

However, Kurdistan is on the right path towards a better future.

Now it is the opportunity to mark that path. 

The election campaign concluded this week. Rallies by political parties and candidates were overall peaceful. This is a true spirit of a democratic process.

We encourage the nearly 3 million eligible voters in this part of Iraq, namely in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk and Halabja to go out and vote.

We cannot reiterate enough the importance of exercising this right, which so many fellow Kurds have paid the heavy price to ensure it is safeguarded for generations to come.

We would like to thank the Independent High Electoral Commission for all the preparatory work to make this election a free, fair and transparent one.

UNAMI is supporting IHEC through its electoral team’s technical expertise and advice.

IHEC has put in place measures and mechanisms to address complaints and any potential problem.

International and local partners are also participating in the observation process for the elections.

And we look forward to successful Election Days on the 18th and 20th October. 

Make your voices heard and your opinions count. Vote!

Thank you very much.