PUK, Kurdistan Justice Group Stress the Need for Unity in Disputed Areas

P.U.K 03:25 PM - 2023-07-12

PUK, KJG press conference

The Executive Director of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Election Agency stated, "The PUK has no red line regarding any Kurdish political organization. We will reach out to all political parties in Kurdistan to collaborate during provincial council elections."

PUK-Parties Interactions Have Been Positive

Razgar Hama, Executive Director of the PUK's Election Agency, stated at a press conference following a PUK delegation's visit to the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG): "In the past, relations between the PUK, the KJG, and other political forces and parties have been positive, and we have always been united on a number of crucial issues." 

"The focus of today's visit to the KJG was on the Kurdish regions (disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil) outside of the Kurdistan Region, which are facing a crucial election. "At the same time, other communities have completed their preparations and are running on a single list to win more seats," he added.

We will participate in the elections with a single list for the sake of our nation

Hama continued, "Due to issues that some political parties and groups from other communities have persistently brought to Kirkuk and these areas' elections, there have been no local elections there for quite some time. The outcome of this election will determine what happens to Kirkuk and the areas that are no longer under Kurdish control as a result of the referendum."

"For the general welfare of our nation, we will endeavor to participate in the elections in good faith and with a single list," he added.

"We agreed with the KJG that all political forces and parties should participate together and be united behind a single list, so that there would be no more catchy slogans and exaggerations over these issues, since concern for these issues would be expressed through honesty, transparency, and unity rather than words," he continued.

The PUK has no red line for any party

Hama also said that the PUK does not have a red line for any political force. "We will reach out to all political parties in Kurdistan in an effort to collaborate during the elections for the provincial council. We should not attempt to lose control of a vital Kurdistan region through political stubbornness."

There should be a joint list of the disputed areas

During the same press conference, Bestun Hama Salih, the KJG's director of elections, stated, "Our opinions are similar, and everyone should be aware that the situation in the Kurdish areas outside the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government has distinctive characteristics. If we fail to consider these characteristics, the Kurdish identity of these regions will be called into question.

"In order to win the most seats and avoid dividing the Kurdish vote in these areas, we emphasized to the PUK the importance of a unified list for the Iraqi provincial elections," he added.

"Our goal is for Kurds to play a significant role in provincial council elections in disputed areas." We are collaborating with the PUK to demonstrate through additional voting that these regions are Kurdish”, as stated by Salih.



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