BAGHDAD, May 20 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said provincial elections scheduled for October would take place over several days to avoid manipulation.
"The government is resolved to provide an appropriate atmosphere for holding the provincial councils elections in the right way," Voices of Iraq said, referring to a statement from Maliki's office Sunday.
The statement follows a meeting with Maliki and the top U.N. envoy to Iraq, Staffan de Mistura.
Hashem al-Taei, the chief politician in charge of electoral affairs, said any considerations regarding the timing of the October elections hinges on the security situation in Iraq.
"Organizing the elections on schedule depends on the country's security situation, the readiness of the National Electoral Commission to carry out the polls, and the presidential board's endorsement of the provincial elections act," Taei told VOI.
