The 1992 Kurdistan Region general election was held in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 19 May 1992 to elect the president and the 105 members of the Kurdistan National Assembly. It was the first free and fair election in the history of the Kurdistan Region, held just one year after the 1991 Kurdish uprisings against the Ba’ath regime. The elections had initially been planned for 16 May, but were delayed due to concerns about ink smudging, which could have led to voter fraud.

The elections took place under the protection of a no-fly zone established by many countries, including the US, UK, and France. a second round was scheduled to be held. However, both leaders feared they might lose in a run-off, so the second round was never held, and the Kurdistan Regional Government decided to proceed without a president. Instead they established an eight-member Presidency Council consisting of four members from each party.

Parliamentary election

The Kurdistan National Assembly election resulted in a narrow victory for the KDP, which won 51 seats, while the PUK-led alliance won 49 seats. However, due to fraud allegations, the KDP gave up one seat to the PUK so that each party would hold 50 seats. The two parties then proceeded to form a unity government.

On 4 June 1992, KDP Secretary General Jawhar Namiq Salim was elected Speaker of the Kurdistan National Assembly and prominent PUK member Fuad Masum was elected Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region.

Electoral system

The president was elected using the two-round system; if no candidate received a majority of the vote, a second round would be held.

Of the 105 seats in the National Assembly, 100 were general seats elected by proportional representation with a 7% electoral threshold. Five seats were reserved for the Assyrian minority. There were 178 polling stations.

Conduct

The elections were described as free and fair by international observers. Amnesty International reports that some smaller parties alleged irregularities.

Results

President

National Assembly

By governorate

Dahuk Governorate

Note: Dahuk included the Aqrah and Shekhan Districts which were officially part of Nineveh Governorate.

Erbil Governorate

Note: The Makhmour district was at this time still under control of the Iraqi government, no elections were held there.

As Sulaymaniya Governorate
Diyala Governorate

Only two areas in the Diyala Governorate were under Kurdish control: Darbandikhan and Khanaqin.

Notes

References

  • Kurdistan National Assembly Parliament