PUK pushes University employees to vote them in elections
Raperin University has reportedly forced staff to fill out forms disclosing their political preferences and the candidates they plan to vote for, with a deadline of last Thursday. This alarming practice echoes Ba’ath-era tactics, where personal information was gathered for political control.
Similar forms have been distributed at Koya University, where employees were indirectly threatened with consequences if they refused to comply. Many have resisted, but the pressure highlights the increasing politicization of academic institutions in the Kurdistan Region.
These actions clearly declare who is ruling academia in Kurdistan. They violate individual freedoms and could have serious implications for both academic independence and the integrity of the upcoming elections. The Independent Electoral Union must investigate this interference urgently.
Author Profile
- Diyar Harki is an independent investigative journalist and human rights advocate. As a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), he focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Kurdistan and Iraq. He voluntarily contributes to Kurdfile Media.
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