By Idris Okuducu
ERBIL
Iraqi Kurds in provinces controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq are set to head to polls on Monday to vote in a controversial referendum on whether to secede from Iraq.
The referendum comes despite intense opposition by the central government in Baghdad and international powers.
Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have warned that the vote would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater instability in the region.
The oil-rich province of Kirkuk is among the contested areas in which the vote is planned to take place.
The non-binding referendum will also take place in Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah provinces, Tuz Khurmatu district in the Saladin province and Khanaqin district in Diyala province.
Residents in Sinjar, Makhmur, Tel Keyf, Hamdaniya and Seyhan districts of Mosul will also cast ballot.
According to data released by the KRG Independent High Electoral Commission, over 5 million people are expected to vote in Monday’s referendum.
Around 1.2 million will vote in Erbil, 1.3 million in Sulaymaniyah, 750,000 in Kirkuk, 800,000 in Dohuk, 750,000 in Mosul and over 400,000 in other regions.
Last week, Iraqi lawmakers voted against the controversial referendum and called on the Baghdad government to negotiate with KRG.
Iraq’s central government has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote leads to violence.
KRG's leader, Masoud Barzani, has said a Yes vote would not result in an automatic declaration of independence but would simply lead to further negotiations with Baghdad.
