In a bid to ensure the accuracy of voter registration and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, Iraq's Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Shakawan Abdullah, has called on individuals claiming to be citizens of Kirkuk to provide evidence of their pre-1957 census status. Speaking during a meeting with the Electoral Commission committee in Kirkuk on Saturday, Abdullah emphasized that those lacking records from the 1957 census would not be recognized as legitimate residents of the province.

The meeting, held in preparation for the upcoming provincial council elections scheduled for December 18, 2023, sought to address concerns related to the voter registry. "Our initial meeting aims to lay down a foundation for the committee's efforts in auditing the voter registry," Abdullah explained.

He acknowledged historical controversies surrounding the demographic makeup of Kirkuk, including accusations of demographic engineering by various political factions. Some have alleged that Kurds were brought in from neighboring Turkey and Iran, while others have claimed that Arabization policies under the former Ba'ath regime altered the province's population dynamics during the 1970s.

Abdullah underlined that a mechanism is needed to distinguish genuine residents of Kirkuk from potential newcomers. As a step toward this, the 1975 census has been identified as a key reference point for claims of residency in the province. Those asserting to be natives of the province are required to possess census records predating any demographic shifts caused by Arabization policies.

The Deputy Speaker noted, "Any individual who claims to have brought others into the province after 2003, 2015, or 2016 and lacks the 1957 census records cannot be accepted as a citizen of Kirkuk."

Abdullah, along with other parliamentarians from the province, expressed unwavering support for the Electoral Commission committee's efforts to verify voter information and ensure the fairness of the upcoming elections.

The Independent High Electoral Commission recently reported updates to the voter registry, with over 825,000 amendments made. Notably, provinces including the Kurdistan Region, Nineveh, Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Salahuddin have seen high levels of engagement from voters seeking to update their records ahead of the elections.

According to the provisions of Law No. 15 of 2015, political parties must complete all necessary procedures and address any violations within 90 days to be eligible for participation in elections.

Iraq's electoral landscape is evolving, with only biometric cardholders permitted to vote in the upcoming elections. Additionally, those born in 2004 and 2005, who have reached the age of 18, are eligible to participate.

As the country gears up for the provincial council elections, which will engage more than 23 million voters nationwide, measures to ensure the accuracy of the voter registry and promote a fair electoral process are at the forefront of Iraq's political discourse.