Kurdistan Region Begins to Vote in Iraqi Parliamentary Election

ERBIL, Iraq, March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citizens of Iraq from the Kurdistan Region who live throughout the world will begin registration and voting on Friday to elect the 325 members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, which will then elect the Prime Minister and the President. The election is planned for the same day as a referendum on the presence of American troops. Out-of-country voting takes place in 16 countries, including the United States, from March 5 to 7. Official voting within Iraq will take place on March 7.  

"Iraq's second Parliamentary elections will be the most important balloting to date for the country," said Qubad J. Talabani, the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States. "All of the political parties and candidates are fully vested in the system—unlike in 2005, when the Shiites and the Kurds maintained their own coalitions, and Sunni Arabs boycotted. We now expect Sunni participation, while Shiite and Kurdistani parties will be competing under multiple and separate coalitions."

The Independent High Electoral Commission, which is running the election, stated a goal of announcing election results three days after the vote on March 10, 2010. An estimated 18.2 million have registered to vote. The Parliament has expanded under election law from 275 to 325 members—equal to one seat per 100,000 voters, as specified in the Constitution of Iraq.

"Just like when the first post-Saddam Iraqi government was formed in 2005, the people of the Kurdistan Region expect Iraq's federal constitution to guide the way," Talabani said. "Through all of this, the American people can count on the Kurdish leadership to play a constructive role in forming Iraq's government. We are a friend of the United States, and have much to thank for as a result of American involvement and U.S. military sacrifice."

About the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq

The Kurdistan Region is a federal recognized autonomous region in Iraq. With a population of currently around 4 million and rapidly increasing, the three governorates of Duhok, Erbil and Suleimania cover approximately 49,000 square miles. The Kurdistan Region is considered to be the safest, most stable Region in Iraq, and it is host to an ever expanding number of commercial and trade initiatives.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government. More information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

SOURCE Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq

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