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| Iraq election is 'Herculean task' | Iraq election is 'Herculean task' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The UN's special envoy to Iraq has said it will be a "Herculean task" to ensure basic standards are met before Iraq's planned national elections in January. | The UN's special envoy to Iraq has said it will be a "Herculean task" to ensure basic standards are met before Iraq's planned national elections in January. |
| Ad Melkert told the Security Council credible polls were still possible, but he was concerned about the timescale. | Ad Melkert told the Security Council credible polls were still possible, but he was concerned about the timescale. |
| Iraq's parliament only recently agreed who would be allowed to vote in the disputed city Kirkuk. | Iraq's parliament only recently agreed who would be allowed to vote in the disputed city Kirkuk. |
| The poll is seen as an important step if the US can meet its goal of pulling out combat troops by August next year. | The poll is seen as an important step if the US can meet its goal of pulling out combat troops by August next year. |
| Iraq's constitution states the elections must be held in January, but Mr Melkert said the UN had serious concerns about the poll because of the delay so far. | Iraq's constitution states the elections must be held in January, but Mr Melkert said the UN had serious concerns about the poll because of the delay so far. |
| Electoral team | Electoral team |
| He told the Security Council: "It is truly a Herculean task to ensure that basic standards can be met." | He told the Security Council: "It is truly a Herculean task to ensure that basic standards can be met." |
| The UN's 20-strong electoral team had been providing assistance to Iraq's electoral commission, he added. | The UN's 20-strong electoral team had been providing assistance to Iraq's electoral commission, he added. |
| Debate over the electoral law had centred around the northern, oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which is disputed between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. | Debate over the electoral law had centred around the northern, oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which is disputed between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. |
| On Sunday, another potential setback loomed when Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi threatened to veto the new election law unless changes were made. | On Sunday, another potential setback loomed when Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi threatened to veto the new election law unless changes were made. |
| He wants to guarantee seats for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are members of the country's once-dominant Sunni Muslim community. | He wants to guarantee seats for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are members of the country's once-dominant Sunni Muslim community. |
| Are you in Iraq? Is the area you live in ready for elections? Send us your comments. | |
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