Iraq’s parliament approves May 12 date for national elections

Iraq’s parliament has approved May 12 as the date for holding national elections despite calls from the country’s Sunni community to delay the vote until the return of nearly three million people displaced by the fight against the Islamic State group.

Iraq’s parliament has approved May 12 as the date for holding national elections despite calls from the country’s Sunni community to delay the vote until the return of nearly three million people displaced by the fight against the Islamic State group.

Shiite politician, Abbas al-Bayati, said the legislative body "unanimously" approved the date, which was proposed by the government, at Monday’s session.