GENEVA, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday that it would implement a program forIraqis abroad to vote for the Transitional National Assembly Election in Iraq scheduled for January 2005.

    "IOM and the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) mandating IOM to implement an Out of Country Voting Program," IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy told reporters here.

    The program will be conducted in 14 countries, and IOM will nowenter into negotiations with host country governments for the program, he said.

    Voter registration for the program will not follow the in-country timeline and is planned to take place over a shorter period of time and closer to the election, he added.

    The Geneva-based IOM has extensive experience with out-of-country election programs in post-conflict and transitional situations.

    Since 1996, IOM has carried out similar activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, East Timor and Afghanistan. Enditem