Iraq election in jeopardy as VP vetoes law

Iraq's general election planned for January, only the second since the fall of Saddam Hussein, was thrown into jeopardy yesterday after Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi vetoed the polling 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 mid-January polling date.
The election is viewed as crucial to consolidating Iraq's fledgling democracy ahead of a withdrawal of US combat troops by August and a complete pullout by the end of 2011.