Iraq's Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said he objected the first article of the election law, which was approved by the Iraqi Parliament after a long delay full of debates, on the grounds that it did not give a voice to Iraqis who left the country because of instability and violence.

"I have delivered my letter of objection to the presidential council and another copy to parliament," Hashemi told a news conference. "My suggested amendment is to give justice to all Iraqis living abroad, not just Iraqis displaced in neighboring countrie," said Hashemi, prompting poll workers to halt preparations for the election and casting fresh doubt on whether the vote can take place in January.

After the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, a large part of Sunni Muslim community fled abroad

Hashemi said he had sent the legislation back to parliament with his objection to a single article, but that he believed the issue could be resolved in a single session of parliament.

Leader of the regional government in northern Iraq Masoud Barzani has also threatened to boycott the general elections, claiming that parliament seat distribution was not fair.

Previously, Iraq news agency said that Hashemi and Barzani have already made a deal to cancel the elections.