PUK Fights to Prove Disputed Territories' Kurdish Identity via Elections

Reports 09:34 AM - 2023-10-31

Regions where PUK has nominated candidates for Iraqi Provincial Councils Elections.

In anticipation of the upcoming elections for the provincial councils in Iraq, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has put out a total of 112 candidates across the regions of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin, and Baghdad.

The PUK intends to partake in the next provincial council elections in Iraq, aligning themselves both with independent lists and coalitions. The PUK will be represented by the numbers (142, 120, 226, 134, 204) during the electoral process.

 

The PUK wants to win the most votes in Mosul

"The PUK seeks to secure the majority of votes in Mosul province, which is also referred to as "small Iraq," due to its diverse range of communities," Aras Mohammed, head of the PUK's Nineveh headquarters, told PUKMEDIA.

Mohammed said that the PUK has put out a total of 52 nominees for the upcoming provincial council elections in Nineveh province. These candidates are running in a coalition alongside the Al-Rafa'a Party, which has been designated the number 134 by the Iraqi Electoral Commission.

 

The PUK wants to prove that Kirkuk is Kurdistani

The PUK has established a coalition with the Kurdistan Communist Party (KCP) known as "Kirkuk is our strength and will." Their primary objective is to secure a majority of votes inside the province, thereby reaffirming the city's Kurdistani identity.

"The significance of Kirkuk to the PUK is of great importance, as the party endeavors to secure the majority of votes in the province, aiming to reaffirm the city's Kurdistani identity," Rawand Mala Mahmoud, head of the PUK headquarters in Kirkuk, told PUKMEDIA.

According to Mahmoud, the PUK and the KCP established a coalition named "Kirkuk is our strength and will coalition," which has been assigned the number 142 by the commission. He also stated that the PUK intends to field 30 candidates in the Kirkuk election.

 

Saladin province is important to the PUK

Mohammed Mahmoud, deputy head of PUK's Hamrin headquarters, told PUKMEDIA: " Despite the presence of numerous ethnic groups in Saladin province, the PUK aims to enhance the Kurdish voice of the in the region."

According to Mahmoud, the PUK is participating in the electoral process in Salah ad Din province by fielding a single candidate. This candidate is running on an independent named the "National People," which has been assigned the number 226 by the commission.

 

The PUK attaches great importance to Diyala province

"The PUK places significant emphasis on the province of Diyala and seeks to secure the highest number of Kurdish votes in the disputed area," Hussam Ali, head of the electoral department of PUK's Khanaqin headquarters, told PUKMEDIA.

"The PUK is running on an independent list with 30 candidates in Diyala province and has been given the number 120 by the commission," Ali said.

 

The PUK will participate in the elections in Baghdad

The PUK has declared its running in the forthcoming provincial council elections in Baghdad, fielding a single candidate and an independent list designated the number 204 by the commission.

 

The PUK has a total of 112 candidates

According to a previous statement of Rizgar Haji Hama, the head of the Elections Bureau of the PUK, the PUK has put forward a total of 112 candidates for the upcoming provincial council elections. These candidates have been duly endorsed by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). The provinces in which the PUK has nominated candidates include Kirkuk, Nineveh, Saladin, Diyala, and Baghdad.

 

Elections will be held in 15 Iraqi provinces

According to the IHEC, provincial council elections will be held in 15 Iraqi provinces on December 18, 2023, with 134 lists competing, including 39 coalitions of 29 parties and 66 independent candidates. 35,553 voters will cast ballots at 7,166 polling stations, with 5,000 voting in general and 2,367 voting in special polls.



PUKMEDIA