'Iraqi provincial elections delayed'

Iraqi Parliament Iraqi Electoral Commission says there is no time for provincial elections this year as the parliament failed to pass necessary legislation. In a letter on Sunday, the Electoral Commission urged the parliament to ratify the draft law soon, the commission head Faraj al-Haidari told Reuters. "We need at least three months after the law is passed to prepare so polling can be up to international standards," he said. "Even if the law is passed in the coming days, we will only be able to vote at the end of the year. Any more delay and we won't be able to have elections this year," he added. Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki has set October 1 for the provincial elections, which will provide early clues on how parties will fare in parliamentary elections scheduled for 2009. The Iraqi cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss the issue. AGB/MMN