The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has officially registered approximately 200 candidates with Iraq’s electoral commission for the November 11 parliamentary elections. The party will compete across eight governorates, with the largest contingent of 62 candidates fielded in Nineveh governorate, followed by Sulaymaniyah with 36 nominees.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) completed its candidate registration process on Thursday, June 26, 2025, submitting names to the Independent High Electoral Commission ahead of Iraq’s sixth parliamentary term elections. The comprehensive list encompasses eight governorates where the party will compete for legislative seats.
The submission came on the final day of the extended deadline, with the electoral commission confirming no further extensions would be granted. Originally scheduled to close on June 24, the candidate registration period received a two-day extension to accommodate final submissions.
Strategic Candidate Distribution Across Iraq
The PUK’s electoral strategy reveals a geographically diverse approach, with varying candidate numbers reflecting each region’s political significance. Nineveh governorate leads with 62 candidates, demonstrating the party’s commitment to Iraq’s northern provinces. Sulaymaniyah follows with 36 nominees, while Erbil will see 30 PUK candidates competing for seats.
The party allocated 28 candidates to Diyala and 24 to Kirkuk, both strategically important mixed-population areas. Duhok received 10 candidates, while Baghdad and Saladin each have single PUK representatives, indicating focused targeting in these governorates.
Leadership Structure and Key Figures
The PUK announced its governorate list leaders, showcasing experienced political figures across different regions. Harem Kamal Agha will head the Erbil slate, while Dr. Rekawt Hama Rashid leads Sulaymaniyah’s candidates. Iman Abdul Razzaq Amedi represents Duhok, Rebwar Taha heads Kirkuk’s list, and Amal Shkur leads Diyala’s contingent.
These appointments reflect the party’s effort to balance regional representation with political experience, positioning familiar faces to guide campaign efforts in their respective governorates.
The Independent High Electoral Commission had initially opened candidate registration on May 25, 2025, accepting both open and individual candidate lists. The extended timeline provided parties additional preparation time for the November elections, which were formally approved by the Federal Council of Ministers on April 9, 2025, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
The upcoming parliamentary elections represent Iraq’s sixth legislative term since 2003, with November 11, 2025, marking a crucial democratic milestone for the country’s political development and regional stability.
