Agreement on Iraqi election law means polls can go ahead in February – UN

The United Nations today pledged to give Iraq support and technical assistance for holding delayed national elections following parliamentary approval of a revised electoral law, noting that the poll could now be held as early as the end of February.

The constitutional deadline for the elections was January but the electoral law was vetoed by the Sunni member of Iraq’s three-member Presidency Council last month, sending it back to the Council of Representatives.

Today both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Special Representative for Iraq Ad Melkert congratulated the Council of Representatives on finalizing amendments to the law. Since this was completed by 6 December, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has advised all parties that it is feasible to hold the elections on 27 February 2010.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Ban reaffirmed the UN “commitment to provide support and technical assistance to the Independent High Electoral Commission during the electoral process and encourages the Iraqi people and all political parties to participate in a process that will shape their country’s future and contribute to national reconciliation.”

He voiced satisfaction that Mr. Melkert and UNAMI were able to assist Iraqi political leaders in reaching “this important agreement.”

Noting UN efforts with members of the Council over the past few weeks to facilitate a process leading to a broad agreement, Mr. Melkert said in a news release: “Although the debate appeared intense at times it was always conducted with dignity and focused on Iraq’s democratic and political progress.”