SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ADOPTION OF IRAQ PROVINCIAL ELECTION LAW

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the passage of the Iraq provincial election law today by Iraq’s Council of Representatives.  This is a very important step forward which should contribute to political normalization in Iraq.

The law is the result of months of intense discussions, and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was able to support this process significantly by facilitating dialogue and offering compromise proposals.

The United Nations will continue to assist the Iraqi High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to ensure timely preparations of the provincial elections, with the view of holding elections that are credible and accepted by the Iraqi people, including the nation’s minorities.

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For information media • not an official record