Kurdistan Parliament elects chairs of four new committees

Kurdistan Parliament Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami on 20th November chaired the elections of the chairs, vice-chairs and rapporteurs (the bureaux) of four newly formed committees, and elections to rearrange the bureaux of seven existing committees.

The number of Kurdistan Parliament committees has been increased from 15 to 19, hence elections were needed for MPs to vote for the bureaux (chair, vice-chair and rapporteur) of the four new committees and to exchange the bureaux of seven existing committees.

Each Parliament committee has 11 members, and the proportion of committee members and leaders that each party has generally reflects their results in the last general election.

Deputy Speaker Hawrami pointed to the importance of the Parliament committees in drafting legislation and resolutions, scrutinizing the government, representing the people and following up on the public's requests and complaints. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between all MPs and the committees.

The number of committees was increased by MPs at a sitting on 29 September, when they voted by a large majority (91 out of 111) to amend Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. The aim is to further divide the committees’ responsibilities and issues covered, so that MPs can dedicate more time and focus on them.

The bureaux of the four new committees are as follows.

Committee on Protection of Women’s Rights

Chair: Lanja Dizyaee (KDP)

Vice-chair: Ashna Abdulla Qadir (Change)

Reconstruction and Investment Committee

Chair: Hawre Mala Star (PUK)

Vice-chair: Bahjat Spindari (KDP)

Rapporteur: Zahir Mohammed Ali (KDP)

Interior, Security and Local Councils Committee

Chair: Shakhawan Rauf Mustafa (Change)

Vice-chair: Balambo Kokoyi (PUK)

Rapporteur: Hikmat Muhammad Abuzeid (KDP)