Staffan de Mistura met with top officials with the Iraqi Council of Representatives to deliver the U.N. choice for directors of eight provincial election offices, UNAMI said in a statement.

UNAMI gave the council until April 12 to review its decision and choose five candidates to present to the Iraqi High Electoral Commission.

UNAMI said it would send its own recommendations to the Iraqi election commission if the Council of Representatives can't reach a decision by April 12.

De Mistura reminded the Iraqi officials the selection of the provincial directors was a "transparent" and "concrete" step to preparations ahead of the Oct. 1 provincial elections.