PUK's Appeal is Accepted, Suspension of Elections' Activities is Lifted

Reports 09:16 PM - 2024-05-16

IHEC & PUK logos

Iraq's Judicial Board for Elections has approved the appeal filed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), thereby overturning the decision of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to halt the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdistan Parliament elections.

The Legal Affairs Centre of the PUK, represented by Rizgar Haji Hama, the Head of the PUK's Elections Bureau, filed an appeal on May 8th, 2024 against the decision issued by the Board of Commissioners No. (1) of the extraordinary report (28) on May 7th, 2024. The decision pertained to the suspension of the IHEC's activities for the Kurdistan Parliament elections.

The Judicial Board for Elections, as stated in a document obtained by PUKMEDIA, has determined that the appeal was lodged within the prescribed legal timeframe and has chosen to grant acceptance.

"An appeal was lodged against the decision of the Board of Commissioners to halt the technical and financial processes for the 2024 Kurdistan Parliament elections. This suspension will remain in effect until the Federal Supreme Court resolves the pending dispute about the end of candidate list registration procedures," the Judicial Board added.

 

The Decision is illegal

The Judicial Board also mentioned: "The disputed judgment failed to consider the provisions outlined in the Commission Law, which mandated the holding of Kurdistan Parliament elections during the tenure of the current session's Board of Commissioners."

The statement also pointed out: "The contested decision is illegal and in breach of the law because it failed to consider this aspect. Considering this viewpoint, it was determined to cancel it and inform the IHEC to proceed with a conclusive decision through mutual agreement on 16 May 2024."

 

The judiciary ruled in favour of the PUK

 

Talar Latif, the Head of the Legal Affairs Centre of the PUK, stated to PUKMEDIA that the Judicial Body has made the decision in favour of the PUK. This decision obligates the IHEC to resume proceedings relating to the Kurdistan Parliament elections.

Per the ruling of the Judicial Body, the IHEC is required to resume its preparations for conducting the Kurdistan Parliament elections.

 

The Board of Commissioners will approve the decision

Jumana al-Ghalai, the spokeswoman for the IHEC, stated to PUKMEDIA: "The IHEC is currently awaiting the final decision of the Board of Commissioners in order to resume its activities pertaining to the elections for the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament, following the decision made by the Judicial Body."

Al-Ghalai stated that the Council of Commissioners must officially approve the decision made by the Judicial Board for Elections. This decision requires the IHEC to continue with the necessary steps for the Kurdistan Parliament elections.


PUKMEDIA