Iraq: Election worker killed in March vote run-up

A senior Iraqi election official says one election worker has been killed and another kidnapped over the last two weeks, a worrying sign of violence targeting those tasked with organizing the March election.

Hamdia al-Hussaini, a commissioner on the Independent High Electoral Commission, said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that the employees are believed to have been targeted because they worked for the election commission.

She said numerous employees have also received death threats, and others have had family members kidnapped or killed.

Iraq will hold nationwide parliamentary elections March 7. Election workers have often been targeted by insurgents trying to disrupt the vote.