Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi has vetoed part of draft electoral legislation. The move has put national elections scheduled for 29 January in jeopardy.

He is a Sunni Muslim and objects to article one of the bill, which would result in Iraqis living abroad being unable to vote. Many from the Sunni community fled Iraq to escape the sectarian violence which followed the US-led invasion in 2003.

The parliament in Baghdad voted for the draft legislation earlier this month after lengthy debate and delay. January's elections are seen as an important step towards the establishment of democracy in Iraq.

photo: Iraqi parliament (Wikimedia)