Iraqi Turkmen Front leader challenges Kirkuk governor election: 'Against the law'

Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) leader Hasan Turan stated that they do not recognize the meeting held in Baghdad for the Kirkuk Governorship and the Provincial Council Presidency, and that they will apply to the court for its cancellation.

Turan made a statement regarding the meeting held yesterday for the election of the Kirkuk governor, during which some council members voted while others boycotted.

In a press conference, the ITC leader said, "Both the meeting held in Baghdad and the election are invalid," and added the following:

"Article 13 of the Provincial Council Election Law stipulates that the administration in Kirkuk must be distributed fairly among all components, regardless of the election results. Furthermore, the fact that the said meeting was held without any consensus among the components, in the absence of Turkmens, and that the election of the governor and the council president took place in Baghdad rather than Kirkuk, is a clear and explicit violation of the law."

Reminding that the eldest member was not present at the meeting, Turan emphasized that the results of the session were unlawful and that they would apply to the judiciary to have the results invalidated.

Pointing out that the ITC is the only Turkmen political party with a member in the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Turan stated that they did not appoint any Turkmen officials other than local council members to the meeting in Baghdad.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Five members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), three Arab members, and one Christian member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council gathered at a hotel in Baghdad yesterday to hold a vote for the governorship and the council presidency.

Those who participated in the vote supported PUK member Rebvar Taha for governor and Arab member Mohammed Hafiz for council president.

Turkmen members, Kurdistan Democratic Party members, and three Arab members in the Kirkuk Council boycotted the vote and did not attend the meeting.

In a statement issued by the PUK, it was claimed that Taha had been elected to the governorship.

The Kirkuk Provincial Council consists of 16 seats.

News Source: 12punto