Kurdish political parties in Kirkuk, led by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), are set to convene on Wednesday to deliberate on the upcoming Iraqi census scheduled for November 20-21. This gathering follows a statement from the KDP’s Kirkuk branch, expressing opposition to the census in the disputed province due to concerns over demographic shifts in recent years, attributed to an influx of Arabs from central and southern Iraq.

The Kurdish political factions are expected to outline a unified stance on the census, a critical process that observers note could significantly impact Kirkuk's political and demographic landscape. The Iraqi constitution, under Article 140, requires a normalization process before a census in disputed regions like Kirkuk, highlighting the sensitive nature of the data collection.

Iraq has not conducted a full national census since 1997, when the Kurdistan Region was excluded. The last census that included the Kurdistan Region occurred in 1987. The current census, launched in September with an initial phase counting buildings, is expected to estimate Iraq’s population at around 50 million. Originally scheduled for 2020, the census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wednesday meeting will likely shape the Kurdish response, as the parties navigate the census' potential implications for Kirkuk's demographic and political composition.