PUK Achieves Historic Gains in 2025 Iraqi Parliamentary Elections

P.U.K 12:33 PM - 2025-11-15

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The sixth round of the Iraqi parliamentary elections, held on 11 November 2025, brought significant shifts in the distribution of votes and seats among political parties. While some parties experienced declines, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) emerged as the only Kurdish political party to increase both its vote count and number of seats.

In the 2021 parliamentary elections, the PUK secured 368,226 votes, winning 17 seats. In contrast, the 2025 elections saw the party increase its votes to 626,187 and its Kurdish seats to 18. While some results are still pending final confirmation by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), the PUK may win an additional seat.

PUK Dominates in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk

Sulaymaniyah  and Kirkuk remain strongholds for the PUK, where no other Kurdish party has been able to compete effectively. According to IHEC data, the PUK received 240,899 votes in Sulaymaniyah Province, a substantial increase from the 141,660 votes in 2021. In Kirkuk, the party’s votes rose from 63,371 in 2021 to 178,629 in 2025, resulting in an increase of parliamentary seats from three to four.

Gains in Erbil and Nineveh

The PUK also strengthened its position in Erbil and Nineveh provinces. In Erbil the party secured a total of 97,301 votes, up from the 65,862 gained in 2021. In Nineveh, the PUK's votes increased from 30,538 to 56,346.

Why the PUK’s Success Matters

This electoral success reflects public confidence in the PUK, led by President Bafel Jalal Talabani, as a party capable of addressing citizens’ concerns and representing their interests in Baghdad. Voters trust the PUK to advocate for their constitutional rights and to play a decisive role in the next Iraqi government.

Vote Count Doubled Since 2021

According to statistics from the IHEC, the PUK’s votes increased from 398,226 in the 2021 elections to 626,187 in 2025, cementing its status as one of Iraq’s largest and most trusted political parties and increasing its number of seats from 17 to 18. The official results from the IHEC are yet to be finalised, but the PUK is expected to further increase its seats in some disputed areas.

Iraq’s parliamentary elections were held last week, recording a voter turnout of 55%.



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