Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court made a ruling on Sunday to dissolve the provincial councils of the Kurdistan Region. The reason behind this decision was the expiration of their electoral cycle. The court also declared an amendment that would have extended the councils’ tenure as “unconstitutional.” In a statement, the court emphasized that Article No. 2 of Law No. 2 of 2019, which sought to amend the provincial councils in the Kurdistan Region, was unconstitutional.
In a violation of Article 2 of the Iraqi constitution, the recently proposed amendments to extend the tenure of the Kurdistan Region’s provincial councils have deemed undemocratic and infringing on basic rights and freedoms. These adjustments faced opposition as they contradicted the principles of democracy outlined in the constitution.
Historically, elections were last held for the provincial councils in the Kurdistan Region back in April 2014. Later council members pledging to serve for a four-year term that would conclude in June 2018.
Erbil’s provincial council head, confirmed to Kurdaily that the top court ruled against a 2019 amendment of the Kurdistan Region’s provinces law which stipulates for the councils to continue their tasks.
“We do not know how to deal with the decision. Our legal committee will convene later to decide on what to do,” He said, confirming that the provincial councils are in a “legal gap” as a result of the court’s decision.
Political disagreements were the reason behind not holding the elections on time as they planned to hold on June 23, 2018.
Since last two Years, Iraq’s federal court has ruled against The Kurdish government on many occasions. Most notable was ruling against Kurdistan’s oil export. In March Iraq’s federal court ruled against Kurdish self-extension of the Kurdistan region’s parliament by another year calling it “unconstitutional”.
Kurdish citizens and politicians see such decisions by Iraq’s federal as a way to pressure Kurdistan Region and limit its federal entity.
