ERBIL: The general voting for the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections commenced at 7 a.m. on Sunday, marking a significant political event in the region. Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, was among the first to cast his vote, symbolizing the start of the electoral process. Meanwhile, President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid is scheduled to vote later in the day at the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad. According to National Iraqi News Agency, a total of 1,091 candidates, representing various demographics across the region, are competing for 100 parliamentary seats. This includes five seats reserved as quota seats for minority components. The electoral body reports that approximately 2.9 million citizens are eligible to vote in this election, with 215,960 having already participated in the special ballot. The remaining 2.7 million voters are expected to cast their votes during today's general ballot. Voting in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections is a pivotal event, with hi gh stakes for candidates vying for legislative influence. The election process is being closely monitored, as it represents the democratic engagement of a significant portion of the Kurdish population. The outcome of these elections could have substantial implications for the governance and political landscape of the Kurdish region.