Kurdistan Democratic Party was established on August 16, 1946, under the leadership of Mustafa Barzani. The leadership and organisational structure of the party is as follows: President Vice President Political Bureau Central Committee The structure and party administration is divided into regions or branches known as "liq", districts as "nawcha", local organisations as "rek-khraw" and cells as "shana". Each liq is subdivided into nawchas; nawchas into rek-khraws and rek-khraws into shanas. 1st Branch – Duhok 2nd Branch – Hewlêr 3rd Branch – Kerkûk 4th Branch – Silêmanî 5th Branch – Baghdad 6th Branch – Europe (London) 7th Branch – Northern America (Washington D.C.) 8th Branch – Iran 9th Branch – Akrê 10th Branch – Soran (Rwanduz region) 11th Branch – Ranye/ qaladiza 12th Branch – Hellebce 14th Branch – Mosul 15th Branch – Xaneqîn 16th Branch – Hewlêr-Şaweys 17th Branch – Şingal 18th Branch – Amêdî 19th Branch – Çemçemall 20th Branch – Şêxan 21st Branch – Germyan-Kelar 23rd Branch – Mexmûr 24th Branch – Şeqllawe 26th Branch – Ballekayetî-Çoman Members of Political Bureau or Central Committee head each branch. Other members are elected at branch and district conferences. Congresses First Congress The first congress of the party convened in Baghdad in 1946, thanks to Barzani's initiative in the aftermath of the Republic of Mahabad Indeed, the peculiar circumstances of the Kurdish people necessitated the existence of a patriotic, nationalist and democratic party capable of leading the movement of the Kurds. At this congress, the party's statute was formulated and Barzani was elected the first president of the party. Second Congress The Second Congress convened in Baghdad in March 1951 at a time when some of the party's leadership members had been arrested by the Iraqi regime and the party members were subjected to arrest and chasing under martial laws and the party ranks were beginning to disintegrate. Third Congress The Third Congress convened in Kirkuk on January 26, 1953, with the view of reinforcing the party ranks. It was in this congress that the party's name was changed from the Kurdish Democratic Party into the Kurdistan Democratic Party. It was also decided to form a number of Kurdish popular and professional organisations, and the name of the party's organ was changed from Rizgari to Khebat. Fourth Congress This congress convened in Baghdad, October 4–7, 1959 following the demise of the Iraqi Monarchy amidst considerable political freedom. Mustafa Barzani and