Sulaimaniyah, Iraq (AP): Local elections are underway in Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish north, which is locked in a bitter dispute with Baghdad over oil and land.

About 2.5 million eligible voters will choose the region's next President and members for the 111-seat Parliament in the three northern provinces of Irbil, Dahuk and Sulaimaniyah.

Security measures have been tightened in the region for Saturday's election, and voters are only allowed to walk or take government-authorised buses to polling centres.

The two dominant coalitions, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, face a challenge from new opposition seeking to capitalise on their alleged misconduct and corruption.