ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday congratulated the Kurdistan Region on holding parliamentary elections, stating that the process reflects the people’s respect for the values of democracy.

The Kurdistan Region held its long-delayed parliamentary elections on Sunday. The vote was rescheduled four times since 2022.

Minutes after the polls closed, The Iraqi premier extended his congratulations to the Kurdistan Region’s people, authorities, and political powers and candidates on completing the elections.

“Continuing the democratic choice of our people in the various regions of Iraq confirms respect for the value of democracy and belief in the peaceful transfer of power, and the consolidation of the constitutional structure,” wrote Sudani on X.

Sudani also expressed his appreciation for Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for administering the vote and hoped for completing the requirements for forming the next cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) “in order to sustain the path of development, cooperation, and stability in the service of our people in the Region.”

Sunday’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.

Nearly 2.7 million people were eligible to vote in the general elections.

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.