PUK Co-chair Lahur Talabany reaffirmed on the continuance of the Patriotic Union's efforts towards the right of self-determination.

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Kurdistan Region’s referendum, Lahur Talabany said on Friday, Sep 25, in a tweet: "09/25/2017 is the day in which the fate and gains of the people of Kurdistan were sacrificed due to wrong analyzes and arrogance of a number of ignorant politicians."

However, he pointed out, "Despite the failure of the referendum and the loss of the Kurdistan people’s hope for independence, the efforts of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are continuing towards a legitimate right to self-determination."

On September 25, 2017 a referendum was held in the governorates of Erbil, Slemani and Dohuk of the Kurdistan Region, and disputed areas, as individuals' turnout for the ballot boxes began in the morning, and the commission announced that the turnout was 72%.

More than 5 million voters participated in the referendum, and the lowest participation rate was recorded in Slemani and Halabja governorates at 55%, and the highest participation rates came from Dohuk governorate.