A statement from the High Election Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party

At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021, in Shingal, a non-Iraqi armed militia with threats prevented candidates from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) from visiting the region as they intended to campaign for the election of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. 

 

The long-standing armed force has illegally imposed itself in the area, preventing the situation to normalize in Shingal and the return of people to their areas. Also, a part of the unrest has hampered the implementation of an agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government to normalize the situation in Shingal. 

 

It is unfortunate that an illegitimate and non-Iraqi force can easily prevent the normalization of life in Shingal and at the same time prevent election campaigning and freedom of expression, which are the most important constitutional and democratic rights of Iraq's parties and components. Under Article 38 of the Iraqi Federal Constitution and Article 22 of the Iraqi Election Law, the Iraqi government is committed to protecting candidates and the election process. The negligence of the federal government, the national security system and the relevant parties in the face of the illegitimate and unjust actions of the PKK's armed forces is surprising.

 

We ask the Iraqi federal government and the high election commission to immediately remove the obstacle of PKK armed forces and similar violations in the Shingal area most end and bring legal punishment to the violators and provide a suitable solution so people can exercise their rights through a democratic election process. The continuation of this violation is a crime against the process and rights of the people, members and supporters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. This is no longer acceptable.

 

High Election Committee

Kurdistan Democratic Party

October 3, 2021