In a region surrounded by political crises and regional and international tensions, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq held a white electoral celebration, praised by all parties for its integrity and success, and welcomed by the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations. Therefore, any internal claims of electoral fraud from the losers or childish factions are nothing but baseless accusations, mere childish outbursts, and internal propaganda by these lists. That is, unless they are driven by external agendas aimed at escalating internal tensions and delaying the formation of the next government, which I expect and warn against.

Although the election period witnessed heated rhetoric and challenges among candidates and participating parties, particularly between the two ruling parties, the process proceeded without any obstacles or armed confrontations between the involved parties, including the ruling two. With the results announced just one day after the elections, matching those recorded by party observers in the polling stations, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the main winner of the elections, promptly called on all winning parties to form the next government as quickly as possible. This was done with the current situation in the region and the unresolved issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad in mind, especially pressing matters that require swift solutions such as salaries and services. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has promised to address these in the upcoming cabinet and has urged all parties to turn a new page and approach the next stage with responsibility and high political ethics.

The elections in the Kurdistan Region had been delayed for two years due to disagreements among the parties. Despite the KDP, which leads both the government and the presidency of the Region, and held a parliamentary majority in the previous term, calling for the elections to be held on time under the supervision of the Independent Electoral Commission of the Region before the legislative and executive institutions expired, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) was not ready at that time to participate due to internal issues. They opposed the elections and threatened not to allow the polls to be held in areas under their control, arguing that the electoral system in the Region was biased in favor of the KDP. They also worked to eliminate the minority quota and transform the electoral system from a single-constituency system to a multiple-constituency one. All this fueled internal tensions in the Region, created a lack of trust among the parties, and raised concerns about external interference in the process. Nevertheless, the KDP showed a reserved willingness to hold elections whenever the presidency of the Region called for them.

In summary, the elections were held in a way that satisfied the parties competing with the KDP, under the supervision of the Iraqi Electoral Commission, with international monitoring, and with internal observation by parties and organizations using a multiple-constituency system. Therefore, any appeals or allegations of electoral fraud are nothing more than empty talk and local propaganda by the participating lists, unless driven by external agendas aiming to delay the formation of the government, destabilize the region, and disrupt the process after its 100 percent success. Although these claims do not affect the announced results, they create a pessimistic psychological state among citizens, which could impact their participation in future elections.

As an observer of the political and social situation in the region, I am certain that the October 20, 2024, elections in the Kurdistan Region were "white." White, because not a drop of red blood was shed on the ground despite the fierce competition. White, because the ballots were free from fraud and rigging, despite false accusations that the Electoral Commission has proven unfounded. And white in their timing, as the first announcement of the results coincided with the first snowfall on the mountains and cities of Kurdistan, delivering to the world the good news of the successful electoral celebration in Kurdistan - a welcome message from a region where the news often reeks of death and blood. May God protect Kurdistan and its people.