Iraqi parliament says holding elections on time becomes obligatory, based on court verdict

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi parliament said holding the legislative elections of the chamber has become obligatory after the federal court decreed holding the elections on the scheduled time.
During a meeting with political blocs to decide on the time of holding both legislative and local elections, Salim al-Jubouri, the parliament speaker, said, “the federal court’s verdict which decreed holding the elections on the scheduled time without postponement is now considered obligatory in law.”
Regarding the local elections, Jabouri said, “we have two options, either not to intervene within the time of holding it, or to postpone it for six months.”
On Saturday, the parliament approached the court to settle a political dispute over the holding of legislative elections after the chamber failed to reach a consensus over the schedule of polls.
Jubouri ordered a secret poll among representatives over holding the legislative elections on time while postponing local elections.
While both processes were slated for May 12th by the Cabinet, divisions broke out as Sunni blocs preferred postponement to give time to displaced voters to return to their home regions after the end of military operations against Islamic State militants.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has repeatedly reiterated that the polls would be held on time. Shia parties, which occupy a majority of the chamber, have also opposed postponement.