ERBIL, Iraq, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The people and politicians of Iraq should respect the results of the provincial elections, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government said.
"We respect the will of the people of Iraq," said Massoud Barzani.
Iraq held elections in all but the Kurdish provinces and Kirkuk. Kirkuk elections are postponed indefinitely and the Kurdish provinces are expected to vote May 19. Kurdish officials in earlier statements noted voting centers were established in the region for displaced and other communities.
"We hope that this was an emphatic message from Kurds, Arabs, Turkomens, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Muslims, Christians and Yezidis of the Kurdish areas to voice what they really want," he said.
Barzani called the elections an important milestone in the evolving Iraqi democracy, noting the people voiced their opinions at the polls and not through violence.
"Let us use this opportunity as an impetus to further strengthen democracy, fraternity and coexistence among our people," he said.
He also praised the efforts of the Iraqi police and military, as well as the Kurdish Peshmerga force, for ensuring the elections were carried out in a peaceful environment.
Roughly half of the registered voters in Iraq turned out to vote in provincial elections Saturday. There were very few reports of violence.
