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ERBIL / SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) – Kurds voted Sunday in a parliamentary election in their semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq.
Iraqi Kurdish security chief Masrour Barzani votes in the parliamentary elections in the semi-autonomous region in the suburbs of Erbil, Iraq, on September 30, 2018. REUTERS / Azad Lashkari
The vote comes a year after the region of six million people, who had acquired a semi-autonomous status after the Gulf War in 1991, tried to separate from the rest of Iraq in a campaign led by Masoud Barzani , leader of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan. (KDP).
Barzani has retained a base of support, even though his campaign of independence provoked a violent reaction from the Baghdad government and resulted in Kurdish withdrawal from a territory and economic autonomy.
And while criticism of the Kurdish establishment in power – dominated for decades by the Barzani and Talabani families – has been more vocal, weak opposition means that voters can stick to the status quo.
"I do not know who I'm going to vote for, but our family has always supported the KDP. My son will choose a candidate for me, "said Halima Ahmed, 65, while she was walking with a sugar cane in the city of Erbil, seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The divisions within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) mean that the KDP could take over in their two-party ruling coalition.
At mid-day, the Independent Elections and Referendums Commission said that by mid-day, the distribution of expenses was between 16 and 23 percent.
Voter turnout declined in recent elections as stagnant oil-sector politics, unpaid public sector wages and corruption undermined public confidence in politics.
Polling stations must close at 6 pm (1500 GMT). Preliminary results are expected within 72 hours. There are 111 seats in the elections, 11 of which are reserved for ethnic minorities.
LOW OPPOSITION
Kurdish opposition parties had disappointing results when Iraq held federal elections in May. But multiple allegations that the KDP and the PUK have committed electoral fraud – unconfirmed in a subsequent recount – could influence some voters.
Gorran, the main opposition movement, was weakened by internal conflicts and the death of its founder and leader, Nechirvan Mustafa, last year.
"I wanted to make sure I voted early. I gave my voice to Gorran and hope for the best, "said Omar Mahmoud Abdullah, 52, at the polling station at the Shireen School in Sulaimaniya, a stronghold of # 39; PUK.
In another polling station in Sulaimaniya, lawyer Hassan Dalloush, 65, also said that he was voting for the opposition.
"If there is no fraud in this election, I will feel good about it. But the parties in power still want to commit fraud, this is the only way to stay in power, "he said.
"I will never vote for the parties in power. Today, I voted for the opposition. "
The September 2017 referendum promised to put the Kurds of Iraq on the road to a homeland and nearly 93% voted in favor of independence, despite pressure from the central government in Baghdad and threats from Turkey and from Iran.
A quick reaction from Baghdad precipitated these prospects. Relations with the central government have improved, but the ordeal has cost both the Kurdish region and its economic autonomy.
Nevertheless, some voters have been optimistic about the future. Salar Karim arrived at a polling station with his wife and two young children, all dressed festive for the occasion.
"Today is a historic day for the Kurds," said Karim, 50. "We must elect our parliament as it is our duty. I feel good today. "
Report by Raya Jalabi to Suleimaniya and Ahmed Aboulenein in Erbil; Edited by Michael Georgy and Raissa Kasolowsky
