Baghdad May Modify Voting.

Responding to a suggestion by Allawi that voting could be spread over two or three weeks in Sunni areas, the Independent Electoral Commission on Dec. 8 said it would consider such a proposal if the government were to make it formally. The Interior Ministry, which with its US military allies faces a massive task to provide security at 9,000 polling stations on Jan. 30, also endorsed Allawi's idea, saying voting over several days could reduce vulnerable lines in the streets. The commission would have the final say on any decision.

Leaders among the Sunni minority that dominated Iraq under Saddam have said violence by insurgents bent on wrecking the election will make it impossible to campaign and vote in Sunni areas. They seek a delay or even a boycott. Allawi made his suggestion in response to remarks by the UN envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, that violence made Iraq's first free and fair vote very difficult.