SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The political situation in Iraq is not stable to hold elections on time, a member of a parliamentary committee said Friday.
Member of Iraqi parliament’s committee of legislation Salim Hamza said the political situation in Iraq was not stable and secure to hold parliamentary election, according to Iraqi media.
“The political, economic, security and health situation as well as services are unstable and affect the daily life of citizens,” Hamza added.
Iraq is scheduled to hold early parliamentary elections on October 10.
The lawmaker’s comments came one day after Shia cleric and head of Sadrist Movement Moqtada al-Sadr said he would not participate in the upcoming elections.
Sadr also said he had withdrawn his support for those who claim to belong to him in the current government and the cabinet that will be elected to replace it.
“To preserve what has left of the country and to save the country that was burned by corruption, I inform you that I will not take part in this election because a homeland is more important than that,” Sadr said in a televised speech.
Sadr’s Sairoon electoral won the 2018 parliamentary election, gaining 54 seats.
He has millions of followers in Iraq, controls a large paramilitary group, and is a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq.
