Iraq election law delays worry U.S., U.N.

BAGHDAD, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. and U.N. officials say they're worried that Iraq has no election law in place despite polls being scheduled for Jan. 16.

They say Iraqi lawmakers need to pass a revised election law this week, CNN reported.

"There remains no clarity on the election law," Ad Melkert, the top U.N. official in Iraq, asserted in a statement issued Sunday by the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq.

Abdul Kareem al-Samarai, a Sunni Arab parliamentarian, told the U.S. broadcaster that while he expects the law to be enacted by Saturday, authorities aren't making any firm predictions. If a new law to replace the one used in 2005 national elections isn't enacted soon enough, the elections may have to be delayed.

Western officials say the elections are a crucial step in Iraq's post-Saddam Hussein development and their results will help determine future U.S. policy.

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill and U.S. military commander Gen. Ray Odierno Tuesday issued a statement urging Parliament to act "expeditiously."

Iraqi lawmakers disagree on whether closed party electoral lists should be used or if the names of individual candidates and their parties should be listed, CNN said.