Baghdad: Iraq`s parliamentary elections will be held on March 6, a senior election commission official told on Tuesday, after a meeting between election organisers and the country`s presidency council.
"The presidency council decided on March 6, 2010," said Qassim Abboudi of Iraq`s Independent High Electoral Commission, adding that the council, made up of President Jalal Talabani and his two deputies, would soon confirm the announcement by issuing a statement.
"We have no problem holding it on the 6th, as long as it is after the 27th (February), which we have decided we are able to do."
February 27th was ruled out as a potential election date because it coincides with a Shiite religious ceremony.
The announcement of the election date comes just two days after MPs struck a last-minute deal to get the poll back on track, after two months of protracted negotiations over a law governing the poll.
The election is seen as a crucial step towards consolidating Iraq`s democracy and securing a complete US military exit by the end of 2011, as currently planned.
It had been originally slated for January 16 but had to be delayed because of the wrangle over the election law.
Bureau Report
