Iraqi government indefinitely postpones local elections

BAGHDAD

Iraq’s government on Tuesday indefinitely postponed provincial council elections without however citing any reason.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi’s media office said in a brief statement that the Cabinet decided at its weekly meeting to postpone the elections from next April to a date to be determined later.

The Iraqi parliament decided last month to freeze the work of provincial councils amid anti-government protests.

Protesters have criticized laws regulating local and public elections, saying they serve the ruling parties at the expense of minor and independent political blocs.

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