Iraq election head warns again of vote delay

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi lawmakers are discussing a controversial election law needed to carry out the January 16 vote. But the head of Iraq's election commission warns that a deadline is looming.

The election law has been stalled for weeks over the issue of how to apportion votes in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a city claimed by both Arabs and Kurds.

The election head, Faraj al-Haidari, Tuesday warned legislators that if a law was not passed by the end of day Thursday, it would be impossible to carry out the vote on time.

As lawmakers Thursday met to discuss the legislation, al-Haidari told The Associated Press again that if the deadline passes without a vote in place, the election would have to be delayed.