ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Monday said obstacles before Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections must be removed while emphasizing holding the vote “as soon as possible.”

Masoud Barzani received United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) chief Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, discussing a variety of topics, including the Region’s parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year.

Barzani “reiterated that all obstacles before the elections must be removed and for the elections to be held as soon as possible,” read a statement published by Barzani Headquarters.

The KDP “is ready to hold the elections tomorrow,” the statement cited Barzani as saying.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in February issued a decree setting the date for the Region’s parliamentary election to October 1 of this year, but disagreements between Kurdish political parties over the current elections law and the electoral commission have cast doubt on the likelihood of conducting the process on its scheduled time.

The deputy speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament last month said the vote is unlikely to be held on time.

Several parties in the parliament have previously called for amendments to the Region’s electoral laws, but the KDP has on several occasions said that there is no need for emending.

Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, according to Article 8 of the Kurdistan Electoral Law.

The Kurdistan Region held its fifth parliamentary elections for the 111-seat legislature on September 30, 2018. Over one million people participated in the vote, recording a turnout of 59 percent.

The KDP was the kingmaker of the vote, gaining over six hundred thousand votes and securing 45 seats.

A minimum quota of 30 percent of the parliamentary seats is reserved for female MPs, while 11 seats are allocated for parties that represent minorities.