Election officials pushed Wednesday for reform of Iraq's election law after polling chiefs suddenly handed in their resignations complaining of parliamentary and judicial interference, throwing next month's vote into disarray.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned that failure to resolve the crisis could delay the general election and send Iraq into a "tunnel we might not be able to get out of."

Doubts are already swirling over whether the polls - currently set for April 30 - could  be held nationwide as anti-government fighters still control a city on Baghdad's doorstep.

Much is at stake in the election, as Maliki bids for a third term with his security credentials badly damaged by a surge in violence to levels not seen since 2008, while the country looks to rebuild its conflict-battered economy and dramatically boost oil production.

Hours after the Independent High Electoral Commission's nine-member board collectively handed in their resignations on Tuesday, IHEC's chairman said amending a disputed article in Iraq's election law could provide a way out.

"If there is any problem, they [parliament] have to amend it through legislation," Sarbat Rashid told AFP, after holding talks with diplomats from the UN mission to Iraq, the US embassy, and the European Union mission, as well as parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi.

IHEC's board has in particular been frustrated with what critics say is a vague provision in Iraq's electoral law that requires parliamentary hopefuls to be "of good reputation."

AFP