Iraq in lockdown as voting starts

BAGHDAD - Iraq has sealed itself off from the outside world, starting a four-day lockdown to thwart insurgents from wrecking its constitutional referendum.

Aside from the armed conflict, a US-brokered deal to defuse Sunni political opposition achieved at least a split in the "No" camp by winning endorsements for the charter from some -- in return for a pledge to consider amendments after the vote.

At least eight people, among them three policemen and a US soldier, were killed in attacks across the country, but tight security may be working. A US general said daily attacks were down some 40 per cent compared to January's election campaign.

Shi'ites and Kurds -- some three quarters of the 15 million voters -- are likely to ensure a "Yes" majority nationwide, but a two thirds "No" vote in three of 18 provinces would veto it.

Though many in the Sunni regions of the west and north oppose the constitution, division among their leaders and militant threats against voters make a veto unlikely. That said, straw polls around the country show widespread mixed feelings.

Announcing nationwide curfews as the first Iraqis cast early ballots in hospitals and prisons, Interior Minister Bayan Jabor said frontiers would close from midnight (10am NZT) until Sunday. Businesses shut for a four-day holiday and private vehicles were banned from overnight travel and all day Saturday.

Two attacks damaged a Sunni group's offices in Falluja after the Iraqi Islamic Party broke ranks and backed the constitution once parliament had made some minor amendments on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a second prominent Sunni group rallied behind the deal, which sets up a new round of negotiations to craft a consensus on constitutional amendments next year in return for backing the present draft and sticking to a timetable laid down last year by US officials keen to ensure an exit for US troops.

"As a way out of this ... dark tunnel and to avoid starting all over again from scratch ... the Sunni Endowment has decided to support the Iraqi Islamic Party in voting 'Yes'," the movement, which has clerical leanings, said in a statement. "Living under a flawed law is better than chaos and anarchy."

Washington was concerned that though defeat for the charter was unlikely, forcing it through in the teeth of Sunni hostility could heighten rather than lessen the risks of further violence.

Other Sunnis accused their former allies of being duped, arguing that even new negotiations in the next parliament, to be elected on December 15, may not answer their concerns, especially about devolving power to Shi'ite and Kurdish federal regions.

Some warn of a looming civil war over oil and water that may draw in Shi'ite Islamic Iran and Sunni-ruled Arab neighbours.

"We reject the draft and are calling all our people to vote 'No'," said Adnan al-Dulaimi, one of many Sunni leaders whose support is hard to gauge as they boycotted the January election.

- REUTERS