Iraq’s general election planned for January was thrown into doubt on Wednesday after Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi announced his veto of the election law. “On November 15, I sent a letter to parliament asking for the law to be amended. Parliament said I could veto the contested first article (of the law), which is what I have done today,” Hashemi said.

Parliament must now reopen debate on the proposed law, leading to a likely delay of the polling date. The war-torn country’s presidential council, composed of President Jalal Talabani and two vice presidents, has demanded a greater say in the election for minorities and nationals living abroad.

MPs had finally passed the electoral law for the contest earlier this month after several weeks of wrangling.
Hashemi said he believed the issue could be dealt with in one parliamentary session and need not delay the elections, although the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission and the UN have warned time is running out.

No final date has been set for the election, but it is expected to be held close to 18 January. Constitutionally, it must be held before the end of that month.

On Tuesday, Kurdish lawmakers also threatened to boycott the election unless their demand for a greater share of parliamentary seats was met.