Irbil, July 25: The elections to choose Kurdistan’s Parliament members as well as a president for the region, which kicked off earlier Saturday, are running smoothly under the monitoring of international bodies, according to officials in the region.
Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi, who visited a number of polling stations in Suleimaniya, said, “We expect the elections to take place in a transparent manner and without violations.” These elections are a “victory” for the people of Kurdistan and Iraq, said Kurdistan region’s President Massoud Barzani, who casted his vote earlier today.
Barzani noted to the fact that Kurdistan’s people are “brothers and partners” of all Iraqis, adding that Iraqi constitution is the “judge” when differences between Irbil and Baghdad surface.
“We hope that this process will be carried through successfully,” Speaker of Kurdistan’s Parliament Adnan Al-Mufti said, and hailed police forces, Beshmerga, and the Asayesh for maintaining the region’s stability and ensuring election’s security.
Deputy Prime Minister Burhum Saleh described elections as an “unprecedented and joyful” demonstration of democracy in Kurdistan, adding, “I am honored to take part in these elections.” Minister of Interior in Kurdistan, Karim Sanjari, meanwhile said that the elections “are going smoothly and no violations were reported.” Voters will also decide today on the upcoming president of Kurdistan. The front runners are President Barzani, who is looking for a second term, as well as Head of the Progress Party Halo Ibrahim Ahmed, Kamal Mirawdeli, Safin Sheikh Mohammed, and Hussein Garmiyani.
–Agencies-