Iraq parliament votes on election date, approaches court to settle dispute

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi parliament approached the country’s top court to settle a political dispute over the holding of legislative elections as the chamber fails to reach a consensus over the schedule of polls.

Shafaq News reported that parliament speaker Salim al-Jubouri ordered a secret poll among representatives over holding the legislative elections on time while postponing local elections.

Both processes were already slated for May 12th by the Cabinet, but divisions grew as Sunni blocs favored a postponement to give time to displaced voters to return to their home regions after the end of military operations against Islamic State militants.

News websites also quoted officials at the parliament’s presidency saying that a letter directed to the Federal Court asked judges to pronounce on the legality of postponing the polls.

On Thursday, the Iraqi parliament called off to Saturday one more session to debate on the elections’ timetable and regulations.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has repeatedly reiterated that the polls would be held on time. Shia parties, which occupy a majority of the chamber, have also opposed postponement.

If run as scheduled, this will be the first parliament vote to be held after Iraqi declared victory over Islamic State militants early December.