Kurdish registration centers receive 695,000 voters

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: Registration centers in Iraq’s Kurdistan region have received more than 695,000 voters thus far, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Arbil city said in a statement on Wednesday. “A total of 695,965 voters registered their names, including 349.880 in Arbil, 270.016 in Sulaimaniya, 75.103 voters in Duhuk and 966 voters in Baghdad,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The IHEC has set July 25 as the date for parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan region. The elections will coincide with the presidential polls. A total of 509 candidates from 20 political blocs and five alliances encompassing 15 blocs are competing for 111 seats in the upcoming parliamentary polls. Parliamentary polls in region were scheduled to be held on May 19, but were postponed due to the Parliament’s endorsement of the amended law on elections. SH (S) 1