Iran Press/ Middle East: In response to the Seyyed Muqtada Sadr's request for early election in Iraq, the government spokesman Sa'ad al-Hadithi said on Monday night that as long as the legitimate parliament works, early elections are not possible unless the parliament votes to dissolve itself and declare early elections.
He said that Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi and the Sadr Movement both agree to reform election law as well as change election commission, yet holding early elections is within the jurisdiction of parliament not the prime minister, Iran Press reported.
Earlier, the leader of the Sadr Movement had asked for holding early elections, announcing that the Iraqi people must continue their protests until their demands are met and early election is held.
He asked the government to take necessary measures to reform the Supreme Election Commission as well as the Electoral Code and present it to the public until the early elections, stressing that none of the current parties must take part in the elections but the one which is demanded by the people.
A number of Iraqi provinces have witnessed demonstrations in recent weeks, protesting the inadequate public service situation, lack of job opportunities and corruption, but the protests have turned violent in recent days and dozens have been killed and injured.
Protests in Iraq continue as the government has submitted four packages over the past month focusing on protesters' demands.
The Iraqi parliament approved on Monday a series of reforming measures to realize the protesters' demands, including establishment of a constitutional reform committee within four months, dissolution of provincial, and urban, and district councils, cancellation of the privilege for Triple Heads of branches of power (President, Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker) as well as parliament members, and high-ranking officials, and abolition of the law on receiving payment from several sources.
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