UN envoy in Iraq concerned about delay in election of new electoral commission board
05/08/2012 23:42
BAGHDAD, Aug. 5 (AKnews) – The United Nations Representative in Iraq Martin Cobler voiced concern on Sunday about a delay in the election of a new board for Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) describing it as a “threat on democracy”
The IHEC’s life expired in April this year and since then the political blocs have not reached an agreement on choosing the new board of the commission that has been conducting elections in the country since 2003.
On July 28, the Iraqi Parliament voted on extending the life of the commission for only 10 days until a new commission board is elected. The 10 period is almost finished and the parliament has not yet approved the new board.
Cobler said in a statement on Sunday that “the delay in the appointment of the new elections commission board is a threat on democracy in the country.. it is very important for the decision-makers in this country to agree on voting on the commission as soon as possible so that the Provincial elections can be held on time in March 2013”
The UN representative also urged the Iraqi leaders to engage more women in the upcoming provincial elections
The Iraqi parliament is expected to vote on nine new members for the IHEC board on Monday while six more members will be put to vote in the parliament on Wednesday.
By Abdullah Sabri
RY/AKnews
