Turnout was high for the elections in Iraqi Kurdistan. Voting was extended for several hours in the evening after complaints that some voter registrations were missing.

Incumbent president Massoud Barzani is expected to win the presidential race, while his party, the Kurdish Democratic Party, is expected to sweep the parliamentary vote, along with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Final results are not due for several days.

Another political party, whose name translates into "Change" and is run by independent candidate Noshwan Mustafa, hopes to pick up some of the 111 seats in the Kurdish parliament. The Change alliance has run on a ticket of reform, after accusations that ruling parties were corrupt and had stifled dissent.

Disputes with Baghdad

The government in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq has a long-running dispute with the central Iraqi government in Baghdad over oil rights. The row has complicated central government attempts to secure investment in the Iraqi oil sector, leading to criticism of Kurdish authorities.

The two governments have also clashed over the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which Kurds hope to make the capital of an independent Kurdish state one day.

"We hope that these elections will be a first step to solving issues with Baghdad," Massoud Barzani said, after casting his ballot in the region's capital Arbil, about 300 kilometers north of Baghdad.

But he also added: "I will never compromise on Kirkuk."

Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, nephew of the president, also expressed hope that issues with Baghdad would be resolved after the election.

"We as Kurds are willing to show flexibility," he said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he hoped the elections would provide an "opportunity to resolve all problems," and also called the poll "another step in building a democratic Iraq."

Author: ca/AFP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Kateri Jochum