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Ruling Kurds face poll challenge Ruling Kurds face poll challenge
(about 1 hour later)
Voting is under way for a new president and parliament in the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan, with the governing coalition facing a vigorous challenge.Voting is under way for a new president and parliament in the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan, with the governing coalition facing a vigorous challenge.
A BBC correspondent says turnout is expected to be high, with queues of people outside polling stations before they had opened.A BBC correspondent says turnout is expected to be high, with queues of people outside polling stations before they had opened.
Incumbent President Masood Barzani and the ruling parliamentary coalition are both expected to win re-election.Incumbent President Masood Barzani and the ruling parliamentary coalition are both expected to win re-election.
But the two main parties, the KDP and PUK, are fighting off reformists.But the two main parties, the KDP and PUK, are fighting off reformists.
The outcome is being watched closely in Baghdad, in the light of long-running tensions with the Kurds over land, oil, and power.The outcome is being watched closely in Baghdad, in the light of long-running tensions with the Kurds over land, oil, and power.
Some 20,000 troops have been stationed at polling stations, with 2.5 million people are registered to vote.Some 20,000 troops have been stationed at polling stations, with 2.5 million people are registered to vote.
President Barzani heads the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), one of the two big Kurdish parties, who were once rivals, but now partners in the ruling coalition.President Barzani heads the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), one of the two big Kurdish parties, who were once rivals, but now partners in the ruling coalition.
There are four other candidates, but none is likely to come close.There are four other candidates, but none is likely to come close.
It is the first time the president of Kurdistan is being elected directly by popular vote.It is the first time the president of Kurdistan is being elected directly by popular vote.
Parliamentary elections were last held in 2005.Parliamentary elections were last held in 2005.
New challengerNew challenger
'Vibrant' election campaign Q&A: Iran election Timeline: Iraqi Kurds 'Vibrant' election campaign Q&A: Iraq Kurdistan poll Timeline: Iraqi Kurds
In the parliamentary stakes, the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which is led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, are fielding a joint list for the 100 seats being contested. Another 11 seats are reserved for minorities.In the parliamentary stakes, the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which is led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, are fielding a joint list for the 100 seats being contested. Another 11 seats are reserved for minorities.
While the coalition is generally expected to win, the two parties' dominance is facing a serious new challenge from the Change movement, led by Noshirwan Mustafa.While the coalition is generally expected to win, the two parties' dominance is facing a serious new challenge from the Change movement, led by Noshirwan Mustafa.
The movement has shaken the establishment with its demand for an end to corruption and elitism, and seems to have strong support particularly in the eastern areas, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Kurdistan.The movement has shaken the establishment with its demand for an end to corruption and elitism, and seems to have strong support particularly in the eastern areas, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Kurdistan.
Some of its more optimistic supporters believe it could win enough seats to team up with Islamists and leftists to deny the two big parties a majority.Some of its more optimistic supporters believe it could win enough seats to team up with Islamists and leftists to deny the two big parties a majority.
While that seems unlikely, the movement is certainly expected to do well enough to form a vocal opposition in parliament for the first time, our correspondent says.While that seems unlikely, the movement is certainly expected to do well enough to form a vocal opposition in parliament for the first time, our correspondent says.