"According to the Iraqi Constitution, any federal region can have its own law, and this includes Kurdistan region; thus, it is possible not to hold provincial council elections in the region" in October, said Sadi al-Barzinji, an Iraqi lawmaker and member of the Kurdish Alliance.

Another Kurdish member of Parliament, Mahmoud Osman, said he would prefer to hold provincial elections in Kurdistan's three provinces along with the rest of Iraq, but said the region could use its own system if that was not possible, The Kurdish Globe reported.

"(It) will not be a problem if it is not held, since Kurdistan region has its own law for elections," he said.

Kurdish officials also said they would seek to postpone the provincial elections until all elements of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution are implemented.

Article 140 seeks to reverse the "Arabization" of Kirkuk that occurred when Saddam Hussein tried to influence demographics in the city.

"The Kurdistan Coalition List has a unified attitude in demanding the postponement of the provincial elections in Kirkuk until Article 140 is implemented," said Osman. "The longer this article is delayed, the more voices will stand against it."

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.