The Iraqi Parliament had scheduled debates Wednesday over Article 50 of the provincial elections law, which dealt with minority representation. Lawmakers passed the law in September with a quota set for female representation but excluded other minority religious groups.

Younadem Kana with the al-Rafidayn List, a one-seat member of Parliament, told Voices of Iraq that lawmakers were unable to reach a consensus on the matter, setting it aside for Thursday's session.

Kana said Parliament would consider whether to reach a consensus decision on the matter or form a committee to look into the issue.

He called on his counterparts to set aside complex resolutions to the matter and instead include the provision in a special amendment.

"The option presented in the Parliament is to enact a special law to include Article 50, and there is a semi-unanimity among political blocs on this opinion," he said.

A three-member presidential council sanctioned the provincial elections law Tuesday without Article 50, despite pressure from the United Nations and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Iraqi Christian communities in the northern parts of the country have held widespread demonstrations in opposition to the exclusion.