Iraqi parliament begins voting on key election law

The Associated Press

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 | 8:28 a.m.

Iraq's parliament is voting on a much-delayed election law needed to carry out the nation-wide vote in January.

The evening voting session Sunday, which was televised live on Iraq state TV, comes after intense behind-the-scenes negotiating throughout the day, and marked the first time the issue has actually made it to a vote.

The key hurdle to the law's passage has been how to apportion votes in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a city claimed by both Arabs and Kurds. There were no details available on the legislation the lawmakers are voting on.

The issue has been especially worrying because if the election law is not passed soon, it could delay the Jan. 16 election and U.S. plans to withdrawal their forces.

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