ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Campaigning for Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections officially began on Friday, with top officials in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region urging candidates and the public to ensure integrity, unity, and a fair process free of exploitation.

Over the next 38 days, more than 7,750 candidates will be making their bids for a seat in the Iraqi parliament during the November 11 elections. The campaigning period started on Friday and is set to end on the morning of November 8, three days before the elections.

In a statement on Thursday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani urged political parties to run a “civilized campaign” for Iraq’s elections, calling on all sides to respect diversity and avoid “spreading hatred and enmity.”

“Everyone should be free to advocate their policies, direction and agenda, but no one should spread hatred,” said Barzani, further stressing the need to protect the dignity of women candidates, respect “the symbols and sacred values of all components,” and ensure security forces act “professionally and without discrimination.” 

The Kurdistan Region president warned parties against undermining unity, saying those elected to Baghdad “must know that through unity, loyalty, and togetherness, they can better serve the present and future of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.”

On Thursday, Iraq’s electoral commission warned that candidates who violate campaign rules could face imprisonment, fines, or disqualification.

Muhsin al-Mandalawi, the Iraqi parliament’s deputy speaker, also urged candidates to protect the integrity of the electoral process, calling for “fair elections, from which we emerge with pride and dignity” and which proves Iraqis can exercise their constitutional right responsibly.

Mandalawi said the launch of the campaigning period marks “a new phase of democratic competition” and an opportunity to “consolidate the values of brotherhood” and compete on the basis of programs and service, not “distortion and defamation.”

He warned against exploiting public funds or state resources, stressing the need for unity and patriotism.

Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition and Iraq’s former prime minister, also called for safeguarding the integrity of Iraq’s elections, urging candidates to avoid exploiting public funds and to keep competition “positive” and “far from discrediting.”

He warned Iraqis against “selling their vote or electoral card” and stressed the need for “fair and sound elections that we can be proud of.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and National Wisdom (Hikma) Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim discussed election preparations on Thursday, reaffirming support for holding free and transparent polls, and emphasizing the need to “ensure the integrity of the electoral process and create the appropriate environment for its success.”

Iraq's Council of Representatives has 329 seats distributed across the country's provinces under a proportional representation system.

The last parliamentary elections in October 2021 saw record low turnout amid widespread public frustration.