Kurds Cast Votes in Crucial Regional Election

The Kurdish semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq held its parliamentary election, electing 100 lawmakers and a president. The Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are expected to extend their power-sharing rule. Opposition parties are weak, and polls close at 6 p.m. local time.

Voters in the Kurdish semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq took to the polls on Sunday to participate in a much-anticipated parliamentary election, which has faced numerous delays. This election aims to fill 100 seats in parliament and elect a president, a process vital to the governance of the Kurdish regions that gained self-rule in 1991.

Despite the high stakes, the election is not expected to bring significant changes to the political landscape, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan predicted to maintain their long-standing power-sharing arrangement, stretching back over three decades. The weakness of opposition parties further contributes to this continuity.

Polling stations are set to close at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), concluding what has been a pivotal day for Kurdish regional politics. The outcome is likely to set the tone for the region's future, as leaders continue to navigate complex political and social challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)