ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday cast his ballot in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, calling on people to join and vote in the process.

In a brief speech after voting, the Kurdish premier hailed the vote as “important,” urging people to show up and participate in the democratic process. “This is an important election. I hope our people, across all cities, decide on their own fate today,” the prime minister said.

"I hope that people can cast their ballots in a calm and free atmosphere, and send dedicated and patriotic people to the Iraqi parliament, in order to defend their fair rights and the people’s constitutional rights," the premier continued.

"I call on all our citizens to exercise their rights and vote," Barzani reiterated, adding that he hopes Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission will "treat the voters' votes with integrity."

Over 7,000 polling stations opened across Iraq for more than 20 million eligible voters early Tuesday morning. A total of 7,743 candidates, comprised of 5,496 males and 2,247 females, are running for the legislature’s 329 seats.

Polling stations are set to close at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, with results scheduled to be announced within 24 hours of the closure of ballots.

The Kurdish prime minister is also a deputy president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which emerged as one of the main parties from Iraq’s previous parliamentary elections.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also cast a ballot earlier in the morning, with several other top officials set to join the process later in the day.