A polling booth in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National
A polling booth in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National
A polling booth in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National
A polling booth in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National

'Last chance for real change': Kurdish voters head to polls with cautious hope in parliamentary elections


Sinan Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Voters across the Kurdish region of Iraq went to their local polling stations on Sunday. After casting their vote, they proudly showed their fingers stained with the blue election ink, a symbol of hope in the region and across Iraq.

After a two-year delay, Iraqi Kurds are voting in the region's parliamentary elections for the first time since 2018. At polling stations in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) stronghold, voters expressed a mix of hope and scepticism, weary of a weakening economy, corruption and political rivalry.

Some said it could be the last chance for the political parties, particularly the KDP and rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to improve the situation in the region.

“God willing, these elections will bring the goodness to Kurdistan and the best people to serve its people properly, particularly the Christians,” Saman Yousif, a Christian teacher, told The National after voting in the Christian-majority Ankawa neighbourhood in Erbil.

Mr Yousif, 46, who came with his wife and son, said the elections “could be the last chance for real change” in the region. He expressed frustration over reducing the minority seats saying “the low representation will definitely affect efforts to safeguard the rights of his community”.

Elections Kurdish autonomous region Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National
Elections Kurdish autonomous region Iraq. Aymen Al Ameri / The National

An Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruling in February labelled the 11 minority quota seats as “unconstitutional” but later reinstated five of them. These will be distributed among the Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac community and the Turkmens.

Using walking canes to reach the booth, Farhad Yousif Goga, 55, said he was voting for change and for a better future for the Kurdish people. “I’m obliged to go out and cast my vote regardless to my situation,” Mr Goga, a restaurant owner, said.

The Kurdish region has been plunged in economic uncertainty over the past two years as the regional government struggles to pay the salaries of civil servants on time, often blaming Baghdad for not sending its share of the revenue.

Baghdad and Erbil have agreed on a mechanism of sending loans to pay civil servants and social services as a way to tackle the budget allocation issue, which stipulates that the region is entitled to its share only when it hands over 400,000 barrels of oil a day to Baghdad. However, Kurdish independent oil exports came to a halt after a Paris arbitration court ruled in favour of a lawsuit filed by Baghdad.

Political disputes and deepening division between the ruling parties have also sparked widespread dissatisfaction.

“We’ve been going through the same sufferings over the past thirty years,” he added, complaining about the widespread nepotism, corruption and economic hardships. He painfully recalled how he was shot in his left leg in 1996 when Saddam Hussein sent his troops to support the KDP against the PUK during the region’s civil war. At that time, he was a policeman before fleeing to Europe.

He returned to the region in 2008 in hope of securing a job. “If you’re not one of them you will not get a job,” the father of two said. “The rule has become akin to monarchy, being inherited."

As a PUK supporter, he believes Bafel Talabani will be able to bring about change. “The one who leads us is a young man just like us and, God willing, he will bring real change and take us to safety,” he added.

Bafel Talabani, President of The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, gestures during Iraq's Kurdistan region parliamentary election in Sulaimaniya. Reuters
Bafel Talabani, President of The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, gestures during Iraq's Kurdistan region parliamentary election in Sulaimaniya. Reuters

For the past 40 years, taxi driver Abu Marwan, has been a staunch supporter of the KDP, but in these elections he decided to punish his politicians and vote for the opposition group the New Generation.

“All the people here are suffering because of the political infighting, corruption and unemployment, they are struggling to make ends meet,” said Abu Marwan, 60, who refused to give his full name. “There is no justice,” the father of six added.

Rewand Jaleel, 26, expressed hope despite setbacks, saying he still sees KDP as the best option to lead the Kurdistan government. “Yes, we are facing challenges and there are mistakes, but I still believe in the Party’s [the local name for KDP] vision,” Mr Jaleel, who casted his vote with his old mother, said.

“No party is perfect. What matters is that they are committed to dealing with the region’s problems,” he added. “Our region needs strong leadership that can navigate the tough times ahead,” he said.

Voter turnout

As of noon, IHEC said the turnout was 31 per cent across the region. The spokesman for Kurdistan Elections Central Committee Ayser Yassin announced the highest turnout was in Erbil at 34 per cent, followed by Halabja with 33 per cent, 31 per cent in Duhok and 29 per cent in Sulaymaniyah. Polls closed at 6pm local time.

Late on Sunday, Mr Yassin announced that the turnout across the region was 72 per cent. Dahuk saw the highest turnout at 78 per cent followed by Erbil at 74 per cent, Halabja at 69 per cent and Sulaymaniyah at 65 per cent, he added.

As the process was under way, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq hailed the vote as a “proof of a bright future” for both Kurdistan and Iraq, according to a statement. “This is a historic day in Kurdistan,” Mohammed Al Hassan was quoted in the statement as telling reporters after touring a polling centre in Erbil.

“We congratulate the people of this beloved region on this democratic celebration. We hope that everything continues as we have witnessed, safe and peaceful,” Mr Al Hassan added.

“The UN is supportive of Iraq and supportive of Kurdistan. The people of Kurdistan deserve all the best, and deserve security and peace. What is happening today is proof of the bright future for Kurdistan and Iraq”.

The Chief of IHEC, judge Omar Ahmed, said the election process “is proceeding smoothly, transparently and fairly”, adding that no violations have been registered. The results will be announced within 24 hours, he added. For the first time in their history, the Kurdish parliamentary elections are being held under the supervision of a federal commission.

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4

Price, base: Dh145,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

  • Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
  • Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
  • Al Towayya in Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
  • Bareen International Hospital
  • NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
  • NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Updated: October 20, 2024, 8:48 PM`