Electoral Commission considers third extension of its work as "inefficient"
07/08/2012 15:40
BAGHDAD, Aug. 7 (AKnews) - The Electoral Commission stated Tuesday that the Council of Representatives’ decision to extend the commission’s work for 35 days is an "inefficient" procedure, adding that the schedules for the completion of preparations for the forthcoming elections will be affected by delays in the formation of a new commission.
The Iraqi Council of Representatives voted by majority on Monday to extend the work of the current commission to 35 days after the failure of the political blocs to agree on the formation of a new national commission.
The Council of Representatives decided on July 28 to vote on the second extension of the commission for ten days after the first extension, which lasted for two months.
The chairman of the board of commissioners Faraj al-Haidari said: "A new board of commissioners was supposed to be formed because the delay creates confusion.
"The required period to complete the commission's procedures after the ratification of the election law and the budget according to international standards is six months. Until now the law is not published in the official newspaper and the budget hasn’t yet arrived."
The State of Law Coalition (SLC) seeks to increase the number of seats in the electoral commission from nine to 15 to represent all the parties. This move has been rejected by Iraqiya List.
By Raman Brosk
RN/DM/AKnews
