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UN assisting Iraqi leaders trying to resolve election law deadlock

UN Photo/Steve Tickner
UN Photo/Steve Tickner
UN Photo/Steve Tickner

UN assisting Iraqi leaders trying to resolve election law deadlock

The United Nations mission in Iraq is trying to help the country’s leaders resolve differences over national elections that have delayed holding the poll by its constitutional deadline of January.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ad Melkert “has responded positively to multiple suggestions to assist in finding solutions for the few outstanding questions concerning the election law,” the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a news release. “He has been using his good offices during his various consultations with all political leaders in order to assist in reaching an agreement.

UNAMI strongly supports the efforts undertaken to clarify voting for Iraqis abroad, as well as the inclusion in the law of the distribution of seats among the governorates, and the announcement of a final election date, with 27 February 2010 as a feasible option for practical and constitutional reasons.”

The electoral law providing for January’s poll was vetoed by the Sunni member of Iraq’s three-member Presidency Council last month, sending it back to the Council of Representatives. At the time Mr. Ban voiced the hope that the Council of Representatives would move swiftly to ensure that a law was adopted and elections could go forward.

“The Secretary-General also reaffirms the United Nations commitment to support and assist the Independent High Electoral Commission in preparation for the forthcoming national elections,” Mr. Ban spokesperson said then.