Time running out for Iraq poll in 2008

By Waleed Ibrahim

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Electoral Commission said on Sunday time was running out to hold provincial elections this year because of parliament's delay in passing legislation needed for the poll.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has set October 1 as the date for the provincial elections, which will provide early clues on how parties will fare in parliamentary elections scheduled for 2009 -- polls that will determine if Maliki himself will remain in power.

The Electoral Commission sent a letter to parliament on Sunday urging it to ratify the draft law soon, the commission head Faraj al-Haidari told Reuters by telephone.

"We need at least three months after the law is passed to prepare so polling can be up to international standards," he said.

"Even if the law is passed in the coming days, we will only be able to vote at the end of the year. Any more delay and we won't be able to have elections this year."

The law lays down procedures for the elections.

Parliament is expected to meet again on Monday to try to pass the law after a row broke out last week over what to do about voting in the disputed northern oil city of Kirkuk.

Parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has urged lawmakers to pass the draft.