ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday addressed a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) campaign rally in Erbil, stressing the importance of implementing Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution and returning Kurdish-majority areas under Baghdad's control to the Kurdistan Region.

In the election rally, the Region’s premier promoted the party’s Kirkuk and Garmiyan candidates for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections in a speech.

“The KDP candidates will ensure the implementation of Article 140 and all other constitutional articles,” Barzani stated in his speech, noting that certain “sides” evade the implementation of the articles that do not serve their “personal interests.”

“No longer must the constitution become an option for a certain people, who use whatever article they want and ignore the ones for others. We will no longer accept that,” he said.

Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution mandates a process to outline a clear and definitive boundary in the disputed areas by introducing a referendum to determine the will of the residents living on the lands. The implementation of the article has been continuously delayed by the Iraqi federal government.

The premier also highlighted the possibility of repatriating the Kurdish-majority disputed lands, especially the province of Kirkuk, under the Kurdistan Region’s authority.

“Kirkuk is not just a part of Kurdistan. Kirkuk is the heart of Kurdistan,” he said, asserting that “the martyrs did not let it go. We will not let it go. You will not let it go. Someday Kirkuk will return to Kurdistan.”

Barzani urged the residents of Kirkuk and the disputed areas to vote for the KDP in the upcoming elections so that no longer individuals “holding chauvinistic and occupying ideologies think of invading Kurdistan,” adding that “we will not wait for them to scheme; we need to go dismantle their schemes in Baghdad.”

On October 16, 2017, the Kurds lost control over Kirkuk and other disputed territories after a military offensive by the Iraqi government was conducted in the province, bringing it under the rule of Baghdad. The Kurdish authorities have continuously pledged the eventual return of the lost territory.

Campaigning for the federal parliamentary elections began on October 10, with over 7,750 candidates competing for the 329 seats allocated across the provinces under a proportional representation system. Iraqi citizens are set to cast their ballots on November 11.

Iraq’s last parliamentary elections in October 2021 saw a record low turnout amid widespread public frustration.