The Kurdistan Democratic Party [KDP], the Movement for Change [Goran], the Kurdistan Islamic Party [Komel] and the Kurdistan Islamic Unity Party [Yekgırtu], rejected the election process in their joint statement they made in the town of Erbil's Koye after the fifth term elections of the Kurdistan Parliament ended.

Stating that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan [PUK] placed military forces in the election centers and put pressure on voters, the four parties rejected the election process.

"It is unacceptable for any party to consider itself superior to the Kurdistan Independent Supreme Elections and Referendum Commission and laws," said Selahaddin Bahaeddin, Secretary General of the Kurdistan Islamic Unity Party [Yekgırtu].

The Kurdistan Democratic Party [KDP] Spokesperson for Suleimani and Halabja organization Etan Sheikh Hassan stated that they would take a serious stand against the irregularities in the voting centers.

Election results will be announced within 72 hours

The weakness of opposition in the region, the traditional dominance of the Barzani and Talabani families in political life, the economic crisis and corruption, as well as increasing poverty and political instability reportedly has weakened the participation of people in the election.

After the Gulf War in 1991, approximately 6 million people live in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The Independent High Elections and the Referendum Board are expected to announce the results within 72 hours.

ILKHA