Kurdistan elections begin with over 2.6 million eligible voters

With 2,686,578 eligible voters registered, the region's four electoral districts—Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja—were set for a significant turnout.

Erbil alone counted 933,115 voters, while Sulaimani had the highest number with 1,008,412. Duhok and Halabja registered 682,791 and 59,300 voters, respectively. The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC) had meticulously prepared for the event, establishing 1,266 polling centers and 6,318 voting stations throughout the region. Erbil boasted 498 centers with 2,213 stations, Sulaimani had 477 centers with 2,373 stations, Duhok had 264 centers with 1,596 stations, and Halabja had 27 centers with 136 stations.

A remarkable total of 1,191 candidates had been approved by IHEC to compete for 100 parliamentary seats. Notably, the special voting held on October 18 saw an impressive 97 percent turnout, reflecting strong civic engagement. This election, marked by high participation and thorough preparation, underscored a crucial moment for Kurdish democracy. (ILKHA)