Parliament Approves Elections Law in Iraq

Sep. 25, 2008

BAGHDAD, Sept. 24 -- Iraq's parliament passed a provincial elections law Wednesday that paves the way for balloting in most parts of the country by Jan. 31 and that could help bolster efforts at national reconciliation.

Iraq 'delicate' ahead of January elections

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The next few weeks are critical as Iraq prepares for provincial elections in January in the wake of the bilateral pact with Washington, the United Nations said.

U.N. hails Iraqi elections law

BAGHDAD, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The United Nations Tuesday hailed a decision by Iraqi lawmakers to set aside a small number of provincial council seats for minority religious groups.

Iraq amends provincial elections law

BAGHDAD, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Iraq's Parliament Monday passed a provision to allocate one seat in several provinces for minority religious groups in the January elections, lawmakers said.

January elections in Iraq in jeopardy

BAGHDAD, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Provincial elections in Iraq face further delays if the Parliament does not amend portions of the election law before Nov. 5, election officials said Thursday.

U.S. withdrawal encourages Baghdad action

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The improved security situation in Iraq is making the leadership in Baghdad more confident but less likely to negotiate with Washington, an analysis says.

U.N. to offer voter education in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The United Nations announced Monday the launch of a six-month program in Iraq to educate the voting public about developments in the provincial elections.

Kurdish premier backs minority rights

ERBIL, Iraq, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani Friday expressed his support for minority representation in the upcoming Iraqi provincial elections.

Minorities continue protest of Iraqi law

MOSUL, Iraq, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Minority religious groups in Iraq for the second week straight protested a move by lawmakers to exclude provisions for representation in provincial elections.

Iraq stalls on minority election measure

BAGHDAD, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Iraqi lawmakers in Parliament Wednesday failed to reach a resolution in debates over minority representation in the provincial elections law.

Iraqi Christians lobby for representation

BAGHDAD, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi Christians are growing concerned over their diminishing political voice in the country as their rights of representation fade, officials said.

Iraqis to debate minority representation

BAGHDAD, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Shiite Iraqi lawmakers said Monday the matter of minority representation in the provincial elections law will be put on the next parliamentary agenda.

Report: Iraqi displaced need voting rights

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The participation of displaced Iraqis in the provincial elections is an important but neglected step toward national reconciliation, an analysis says.

U.N. backs minorities in Iraqi elections

BAGHDAD, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The U.N. envoy to Iraq issued a statement Thursday calling on Baghdad to restore articles in the provincial elections law for minority representation.

Elections good for Iraq, but work remains

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Passing the election law in Iraq is a significant democratic development, but it has the potential to divide the country along sectarian lines, an analysis says.

Iraqi lawmaker opposes election law

BAGHDAD, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- An independent Iraqi lawmaker Tuesday called for a veto of the provincial elections law, citing a failure to include a quota for minority representation.