Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the final results of the sixth Kurdistan Parliament elections on Wednesday, showing that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had scored a victory, leading with 39 seats out of 100.

The results show the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) won 23 seats and the opposition party New Generation took 15 seats.

Voter turnout exceeded 72%, and the KDP’s vote count rose to 812,797, making up 43% of the total votes.

However, political parties need a majority of 50+1 seats to form a new  government.

At the Middle East Research Institute Forum in Erbil, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani underlined that “this was a very important election to legitimize our government and institutions in Kurdistan.”

“Originally scheduled for 2024, the election faced delays due to obstacles created by some political parties. They pushed for changes in election laws and required the IHEC to supervise the process. Ultimately, we decided to hold the election on October 20, with over 72% voter turnout.”

He emphasized that the high turnout shows “that the people of Kurdistan are engaged and determined to make their voices heard, voting for the political parties they trust.”

“I hope everyone will respect the outcome, despite any concerns. The process was closely monitored by the international community, ensuring a transparent election. It’s essential that everyone respects the people’s choice and the legitimacy of their votes.”