ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Leaders of the Kurdistan Region’s Islamic parties on Sunday called on eligible voters to enthusiastically participate in the parliamentary elections and vote for suitable candidates.

“Citizens should participate in the electoral process with enthusiasm and vote for the right people to have a caring and effective parliament for the next four years,” said Salahaddin Bahaaddin, leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), after casting his vote in Sulaimani.

Bahaaddin stressed that the process of forming the government should not be slowed down following the election of the lawmakers so that the interests of the people of the Kurdistan Region can be served.

“Today is an important and decisive day and our people and even the government needs this day,” he added.

Ali Bapir, leader of the Kurdistan Justice Group, urged lively participation in the polls and called on all eligible voters to cast their votes for "worthy" candidates who will become real representatives of the people.

“Those who were rigging votes in the past, those who were forcing people to vote in a way that does not reflect themselves... as the high commission said, forgery has been prevented this time, I hope that is true, and it seems true," he told reporters after casting his vote.

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

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.