Insurgents cut Baghdad's power on eve of vote

BAGHDAD - Insurgent saboteurs blacked out Baghdad today on the eve of a constitutional referendum.

Shortly after dark the lights went out on streets emptied by a curfew intended to thwart suicide bombers as police and troops took up positions to defend 6,000 polling stations from attack.

"It was sabotage near Baiji," said Electricity Ministry spokesman Mahmoud Saadi, explaining the blackout in areas from the capital to the oil refinery town 180 km to the north.

Repairs were under way, he added. Power failure is a way of life in Iraq but it was a reminder of the ease with which the guerrillas seem to strike at the vital organs of the state.

Militants blew up the home of the local head of the Iraqi Islamic Party in the insurgent bastion of Ramadi and bombed an empty office of the party in Baghdad, after the Sunni Arab group broke ranks this week and urged a "Yes" vote in the poll.

A deal that won over the party's leadership -- by promising to review the entire charter again next year -- has succeeded at least in splitting the "No" camp and reduced the risk of a local veto in Sunni provinces blocking the US-sponsored project.

The draft constitution was approved by an interim parliament dominated by majority Shi'ites and Kurds. Dozens of interviews across Iraq revealed mixed feelings, not only among the once- dominant Sunnis, casting doubt on polls forecasting a big "Yes".

Borders were sealed, shops and businesses have been closed since Thursday and private vehicles were banned from the roads until Sunday to thwart the insurgents' suicide car bombs.

"We hope we'll be able to stop the terrorists from killing our happiness for tomorrow," said Imad Lefta, mayor of Hilla, detailing security in the Shi'ite city south of Baghdad, where a suicide bomber brought down a mosque 10 days ago, killing 25.

North of the capital, in Sunni Duluiya, militants toured the town handing out leaflets threatening to kill anyone who voted.

Gunmen fired on two polling stations in Baghdad after dark, police said. In tense Kerbala, police fired on Iraqi soldiers who ran a roadblock, wounding two. A policeman was also wounded.

US troops say they will keep away from polling stations to deflect accusations the constitution is being imposed under the duress of occupation. But huge firepower is in reserve to combat guerrillas -- at least 44 people were killed last election day.

The constitution is part of Washington's declared plan to establish a stable democracy and withdraw 150,000 US troops.

The count may take up to five days. A simple majority among the 15.5 million voters is needed for ratification; a two-thirds "No" vote in three of Iraq's 18 provinces will veto the charter.

- REUTERS