Iraq Commission Extends Voter Registration

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's electoral commission announced Monday it has extended the registration period in troubled Anbar province by a week to allow its residents to participate in the constitutional referendum and general elections.

Safwat Rashid, an official with the Independent Electoral Commission, said that out of 28 registration centers in the western province, only 19 had opened so far.

The nationwide drive to register voters for the Oct. 15 referendum on Iraq's proposed constitution and general elections in December opened on Aug. 3. A total of 544 centers are registering voters.

The commission said the decision to extend the period in Anbar until Sept. 7, was made because some centers opened late because of logistical and security reasons, "and in order to allow the biggest number of voters to (register), as well as because of demands by political groups.""
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