Iraqi lawmakers trying to break election deadlock

Baghdad, November 19: Iraqi lawmakers will vote Saturday on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January.

Lawmakers are looking at two options — sending the same law back to the three-member presidency council, where it is likely to be vetoed again — or amending the law to address concerns of Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi.

Under the constitution, parliament can override a second veto with a three-fifths majority.

Parliament speaker Ayad al-Samarie said Thursday that parliament will vote on its two options Saturday.

Al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, wants more seats allocated for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunni.

—Agencies