Iraqi VP Vetoes New Election Law
One
of Iraq's two vice-presidents,
Tariq al-Hashemi has vetoed part of the country's new election
law, putting the parliamentary polls scheduled for January in
doubt.
Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, revoked Article 1 of the law and
called for the representation in parliament of displaced people
to increase to 15%.
Most Iraqis who have fled violence since 2003 are thought to be
Sunni.
Electoral officials say they have suspended preparations for a
January vote until an amended law is approved.
An
Independent Electoral Commission official, Hamdiya al-Hussaini,
said, ’’As a result of the veto, we have decided to stop all
our activities and work as we await a final law with a
presidential decree that determines the exact date of the
election.’’
The poll had been scheduled to be held between the 18th
and 23rd January. Constitutionally, it
must be held before the end of that month.
The election is seen as a prerequisite to the US meeting its
goal of pulling out combat troops by 31 August 2010, ahead of a
full withdrawal by the end of Year 2011.
REUTERS/Yinka
