AM:10:41:09/11/2025
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On the day of the special vote, early indications show that both ruling parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have lost voter participation among members of the security forces, reflecting widespread frustration over years of unfulfilled promises and salary delays.
In the 2018 special elections, the two parties together received about 70 percent of the vote, but by the 2024 special elections, their overall support had already declined to around 50 percent, while the New Generation Movement gained notable ground with 11,207 votes.
This year, many security personnel have chosen not to participate in the special vote, citing continued salary suspensions and delayed promotions. Over the past decade, 64 members of the security forces have reportedly lost their pay or received it with deductions.
Security sources said frustration is particularly high among traffic police and other Interior Ministry forces, who have faced repeated delays in their promotion lists, while several lists for Peshmerga officers also remain pending.
Despite salaries being funded by Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been accused of obstructing promotions and neglecting to improve conditions for the armed and security forces.
The Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) confirmed the voting process remains fully secret.