Iraq - Kurdish autonomy

The Constitution specified that "the area whose majority of its population is Kurdish shall enjoy autonomy in accordance with what is defined by the law." Since 1976, of 18 provincial governments, three have been designated as Kurdish autonomous regions. Elections for the Kurdish legislative council were held in 1980, 1986, and 1992. Although the National Assembly had been operative, real power still resided with the RCC. The government announced the details of a new, permanent Constitution in March 1989, which proposed the abolition of the RCC and the assumption of its duties by the National Assembly, and a 50-member consultative assembly. The permanent Constitution was to be approved by a national referendum.