BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has announced that his government and the political parties are determined to hold the parliamentary elections as scheduled on Oct. 10.
Al-Kadhimi’s comment came during his meeting with leaders of the political parties in the presence of Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Supreme Judicial Council, the country’s electoral commission, and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, the prime minister’s media office said in a statement.
He stressed his government’s insistence on holding the elections on time and confirmed its ability to provide an appropriate atmosphere for them, according to the statement.
“Al-Kadhimi and the political parties renewed the call for the political blocs that boycotted the elections to reverse their decision,” the statement said.
Al-Kadhimi also suggested forming a committee of political parties to open a dialogue with the boycotting parties to persuade them to change their decision, it added.
Earlier in July, a political bloc led by prominent Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced the withdrawal of his bloc from the parliamentary elections, citing “rampant corruption and unfair competition” among political parties.
Two other blocs have also announced their withdrawal from the elections.