Iraq pressed to pass election law

BAGHDAD, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Iraqi election officials called on members of Parliament to pass an election law by Wednesday as the country prepares for January parliamentary votes.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced it began its review of political coalitions Monday for the parliamentary vote, scheduled tentatively for Jan. 16.

IHEC in a statement to the Voices of Iraq news agency stressed the importance of moving forward with the law as it was committed to a certain date for the elections. It called on Parliament to enact the law before Wednesday so that elections could be held as scheduled.

Lawmakers held an extraordinary session Tuesday to consider amendments to the 2005 parliamentary election law.

If lawmakers are unable to end their current stalemate, the law for 2005 parliamentary elections takes precedence, meaning Iraqi voters would be able to vote only for political parties, not political candidates.

U.S. envoy to Iraq Christopher Hill and U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the top military commander in Iraq, issued a joint statement Tuesday calling on lawmakers to pass an amended election law.

"The United States encourages (Parliament) to act expeditiously on this important legislation that will set the terms for successful, transparent political participation in this milestone event," they said.