Title: Election Survey
Place of publication:Erbil
Publisher: Rudaw Research Center
Release date: 2023

This study, carried out by Rudaw Research Center, encompassed a survey of 2,412 citizens aged 18 and older from the Kurdistan Region, selected at random. The participants were categorized based on their geographical locations into urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. The gender distribution among respondents closely mirrored that of the overall population in Kurdistan, with 55.3% male participants and 44.7% female participants.
Roughly 60.3% of the surveyed population expressed their intention to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, displaying similarity in turnout rates when compared to previous elections. This inclination towards participation seems to arise from a combination of new voters entering the scene and a strong aspiration among young individuals to engage in the electoral process. Moreover, the prevalent political climate and heightened polarization could also be significant factors impacting individuals’ decisions to take part in the elections. The survey indicates that three distinct groups — non-participants, undecided voters, and those opting for blank ballots — are poised to play substantial roles in the upcoming elections. Particularly noteworthy is the 39.7% of voters who intend to refrain from voting, along with 29.2% who responded positively but withheld their voting choice and 3.7%, indicated a plan to cast blank ballots. This cumulative figure amounts to 2,167,252 voters.
Emerging as the frontrunner in the electoral race is the Kurdistan Democratic Party (#KDP# ) with 1,012,136 votes, securing 46.1% of the segment planning to vote which account for 60.3% of the total population surveyed. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) obtained 11.3% of the vote, equivalent to 248,094 votes, while The New Generation party garnered 5.5%, amounting to 120,653 votes. Both the PUK and KDP achieved greater voter support compared to the previous election. However, the substantial number of undecided voters 29.2% and blank ballots 3.7% elevates the possibility of unforeseen outcomes in this election.
These outcomes are not unexpected, given the observed shifts in voter preferences within the Kurdistan Region. Intriguingly, participants’ primary concerns revolved mainly around economic and daily life matters, with democracy and liberties receiving comparatively limited emphasis.
The survey, carried out by the Rudaw Research Center, encompasses three distinct sections: voting behavior, voter preferences, and political views and priorities. The objective of these sections is to offer valuable insights into the forthcoming parliamentary elections of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the positioning of various political parties.[1]