A suggestion by Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi to spread voting in the January elections over two or three weeks appears to be gaining momentum.
In Baghdad on Wednesday,the Interior Ministry endorsed the idea, saying staggered voting would facilitate the work of international observers and guarantee the participation of all Iraqis. Ministry officials also said it would allow for adequate security to be provided to voters and candidates.
But the final decision lies with the independent Electoral Commission, not the government. And commission officials said they had not been officially informed of Mr. Allawi's suggestion, made Tuesday in an interview with a European newspaper.
Meanwhile, at least six Iraqis were killed today in clashes in the cities of Samarra and Ramadi.