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UN urges to hold elections in February

December 3, 2009 - 09:02:49

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The United Nations has called on Iraq’s politicians to hold the parliamentary elections next February, according to BBC.

“Although Iraq’s constitution states the vote must be held in January, disagreements over the electoral law mean this is unlikely to happen.”

“In a statement, the UN said a new feasible election date was 27 February 2010,” the British network said.

The deadlock is already delaying the vote and could threaten the planned US withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.

The UN says Iraqis deserve some clarity at this point.

The head of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, Faraj al-Haidari, has already said the country would not be able to meet the January deadline.

Iraq’s parliament only recently agreed who would be allowed to vote in the disputed city of Kirkuk.

Debate over the electoral law had centred around the northern, oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which is disputed between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.

Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi has said he wants changes made to the election law.

MPs passed an amended version of the law last week which is currently being looked at by Iraq’s presidential council.

The commission is waiting for the dispute to end before setting a date.

SH (S)

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