US says postponing Iraqi elections "dangerous precedent"

WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (KUNA) -- The US said Thursday that postponing Iraqi elections would set a "dangerous precedent", adding it strongly supports the national vote to be held in May 2018, as detailed in the Iraqi constitution.
"The US Government strongly supports holding the Iraqi national elections in May 2018, in line with the Iraqi Constitution," according to a statement by the US State Department.
The US is providing assistance to the Iraqi national election to ensure "all Iraqi voices are heard and counted," the US Embassy in Iraq was quoted as saying.
USAID is also assisting in training local civil society groups on election monitoring and is providing the High Electoral commission with six advisors who will help strengthen its electoral systems and personnel.
"Support for Iraq's democratic institutions is a key part of the United States' ongoing commitment to a federal, democratic, prosperous, and unified Iraq," the embassy added.
The position comes as Iraqi lawmakers are contemplating if the vote should be postponed in order to allow time for hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return in order to cast their ballots.
Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, who is seeking relection, has been in favor of the vote to be held on May 12 as previously planned. (end) ak.sd