Iraq sets January poll date as violence rages

IRAQ yesterday chose January 30, 2005 for its first democratic election in decades, but violence in Sunni Muslim areas underlined the challenge of holding polls on time.

According to Iraq's timetable for democracy, polls must be held by end-January for a transitional parliament that will pick a new government and oversee the writing of a constitution.

Iraq's Shi'ite majority, which was long oppressed under Saddam Hussein and hopes the election will cement its influence, is insisting that the polls be held on schedule.