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Iraq’s Shiite deputy parliament speaker says provincial elections law reworked | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraq’s political party leaders are being asked to study objections to a draft provincial elections law and offer proposals within 48 hours.

Khalid al-Attiya, a deputy parliament speaker, says the parties and various committees are being asked to help end disputes that have held up the elections planned for this fall. A main sticking point is how allocate local council seats in the disputed city of Kirkuk.

Saturday’s move hopes to break the political deadlock and clear the way for the elections, which are strongly supported by Washington as a step toward political reconciliation.

The elections were scheduled for Oct. 1, but election officials say it appears that the voting could be put off to December or later.