Iran hails Iraq passing polling regulations

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham has hailed the passage of the legislation governing Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, saying it will complete the political process in the Arab country.

“The agreement reached among various political parties in the Iraqi parliament on polling regulations will have an important impact on the completion of the political process and parliamentary polls in the country,” she said on Wednesday.

Afkham described the move as a success for the Iraqi nation and government which could help strengthen national unity to counter security challenges facing Iraq.

On Monday evening, Iraqi lawmakers ended a weeks-long dispute over the electoral law, which outlines the fundamental aspects of the country’s parliamentary poll such as the voting system and constituency size, by finally passing the legislation.

The Iraqi vice president announced that the election would be held on April 30 next year.

“His excellency Vice President Khudayr al-Khuzaie… issued a presidential decree specifying April 30, 2014 as the date for holding parliamentary elections,” a statement posted on Khuzaie’s official website read.

Khuzaie is standing in for President Jalal Talabani, who has been receiving medical treatment in Germany for nearly a year following a stroke.