Iraqi Kurdish political parties dispute provincial elections

[Aslan]

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has ruled Sulaymaniyah province since the 1990s. But the union was relegated to a third place in the parliamentary elections. Some observers say the Patriotic Union is delaying the provincial elections to prevent further defeats. Union officials claim that the governor who served Sulaymaniyah until 2009 was involved in corruption. He left the Patriotic Union and joined the Change Movement.

Change Movement officials say the 2009 corruption allegations began when support for their party increased. An acting governor from the Patriotic Union was appointed four years ago and has been serving ever since.

The Kurdistan Region’s provincial elections were due to be held this month but have been delayed again. Change Movement leaders say they’ll hold a governor election in Sulaymaniyah Council if their ultimatum is not met. But officials from the Patriotic Union claim to accept that the Change Movement is now number one in the province.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/11/13 ... elections/