ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leader of the newly-formed People’s Front, described Sunday’s Kurdistan parliament elections as “historic”, and claimed that the majority of the discarded ballots in the early voting period were meant for his party.

“Today is a historic day and an important national occasion,” Jangi told reporters after casting his ballot, urging the public to not be hesitant and participate in the crucial vote.

The Kurdistan Region held its long-delayed parliamentary elections on Sunday.

The former Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) co-chair expressed hope for an election process without foul-play, adding that they will oppose the results if they have evidence of rigging, but will accept if the process is truly democratic.

Today’s vote comes two days after over 208,000 out of nearly 216,000 security service members cast their ballots as early voters, a 97 percent voter turnout.

The Iraqi electoral body, who is administering the Kurdistan elections, announced that over 20,000 ballots from the early vote were discarded.

“Most of the discarded ballots are ours… There were very strict measures. They were accompanied by military officials and they were forced to vote for a particular part, so they burned their votes out of spite and for revenge,” he noted.

Polling stations across the Kurdistan Region were opened at 7am and will close at 6pm. A total of 2,683,618 people are eligible to vote in the elections on Sunday.

A total of 1,191 candidates are vying for 100 seats up for grabs. Of this number, five seats are reserved for the minorities - three for Christians, and the remaining two for Turkmen.