The upcoming election Iraq is being watched closely by the world...  Iraqis will soon go to the polls...  in their second national parliamentary elections since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. The next government will almost certainly be a coalition... and it could be some time before a government is formed.

Political analysts say Shiite parties have dominated the political landscape and alienated the Sunni Arab minority  since the ousting of Saddam Hussein - himself a Sunni -  in 2003.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party is the backbone of the moderate State of Law Coalition that includes smaller, independent groups of Shiites and Sunnis.

Al-Maliki has urged voters to elect his party or risk being controlled by various factions throughout the country.

But while the coalition did well during the 2009 provincial vote  al-Maliki's government is now under pressure after being blamed for security lapses.

The party seen as the biggest rival to his coalition is the Iraqi National Alliance -  headed by Ahmad Chalabi, a one-time Pentagon favourite.

Chalabi said Iraq must retain its independence from both Iran and the U.S.

Ahmad Chalabi, Chairman of the Iraqi National Alliance:

"We certainly don't relish the fact that Iraq will become a battleground between the United States and Iran. We urge everyone to respect the sovereignty of Iraq, and also we say that when the United States leaves as President Obama said they will by 2011 there will no vacuum in Iraq to be filled by anyone, the vacuum will be filled by the Iraqi people."

Early voting in Iraq's second parliamentary election since the U.S. invasion 2003 began on Thursday.

The election has been was marred by a series of attacks that killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens. The bombings appeared to be aimed at discouraging voters.

EBRU NEWS