The party’s spokesperson, Mahmood Mohammed, later confirmed Ahmed’s nomination.

The KDP may end up choosing two alternative nominees to the presidency in case one is excluded from the candidacy, the source stated.

Tension between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has been ongoing over the position of Iraq’s president.

The PUK previously announced its only nominee for the presidency is Barham Salih, the outgoing President of Iraq.

The KDP’s first nominee to the position, Hoshyar Zebari, was barred from the candidacy after a decision from the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court on Sunday following the hearing over a complaint filed against the nominee by MPs Ali Turki Jesum, Dilan Ghafur Salih, Karwan Ali Yarwais and Karim Shakur.

Previously, Zebari’s candidacy was suspended on February 6 pending a court ruling due to corruption charges in 2016, when he was the Iraqi Minister of Finance.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives said on Tuesday candidates for president can once again be nominated due to the expiration of the constitutional period for the presidential election.

Some MPs have complained about the council’s decision, saying it goes against the constitution.

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