Iraq polls not before 2005

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that polls in Iraq could not take place until late this year or early next year. In a report ...

United Nations | February 24, 2004 12:00 AM IST

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UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that polls in Iraq could not take place until late this year or early next year. In a report to the UN Security Council, Annan said polls could be held by the end of 2004 if preparations for a ‘‘legal and institutional framework’’ began immediately. But he said it was likely that elections could not be held until 2005. ‘‘Eight months are required to prepare a credible election in Iraq.’’ Annan said again that the US handover of political power should take place on June 30. — (Reuters)