Iraqi Parliament Sets May 12 as Date for National Elections


Iraqi Parliament Sets May 12 as Date for National Elections

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq’s parliament has approved May 12 as the date for holding national elections despite calls to delay the vote until the return of nearly 3 million people displaced by the fight against Daesh.

Shiite lawmaker Abbas al-Bayati said the legislative body “unanimously” approved the date, which was proposed by the government, at Monday’s session, AP reported.

The divided parliament failed many times to set the date, prompting the country’s Supreme Court to issue a ruling on Sunday against any further delay.

The election must be held "within the timeframe provided by the constitution," the court said in a statement.

The over three-year-old fight against Daesh has left most of the areas in northern and western Iraq in ruins, and poor public services have exacerbated the situation.

The elections will be the fourth since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

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