Oct. 4 (Bloomberg) -- A new interpretation of Iraq's election law, which would make it harder for voters to reject the draft constitution, violates international standards and increases the risk of civil war, United Nations officials said.

Iraq's National Assembly said on Oct. 2 that the constitution could be approved by a majority of people who vote, while it would take two-thirds of the total number of registered voters in at least three provinces to reject the charter. The constitutional referendum is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Setting one standard based on the number of registered voters and another based on those who actually vote is a ``contradiction'' that violates international electoral standards, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

``Some people will interpret it to mean that a no vote will now become almost impossible,'' Under Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari told reporters at the UN. ``We needed to point out that for the process to be credible there have to be certain standards that are met.''

The UN is ``concerned'' the change might increase the threat of civil war in Iraq, Gambari said.

Battling Insurgents

The constitution is designed to be the basis for a new government that the U.S. wants to take a greater role in battling a Sunni-led insurgency, easing pressure on the U.S. military. Rejection of the charter would mean elections in December for another transitional National Assembly. The new lawmakers would oversee the constitution drafting process from scratch.

During the constitution negotiations, Shiite leaders sought a degree of self-rule in Iraq's mainly Shiite south similar to that enjoyed by the Kurdish north since 1991. Sunnis, who account for 15 to 25 percent of the population, have argued that allowing such a degree of federalism would deprive them of access to Iraq's oil, the world's third-largest reserves.

Sunni leaders have called on Iraqis to ``say no'' in a series of news conferences since Aug. 27, saying that if implemented, the constitution will lead to the breakup of Iraq along sectarian lines.

Dujarric said UN officials in Baghdad have expressed their concerns to leaders of Iraq's transitional government.

Emyr Jones Parry, the U.K. ambassador to the UN, said the goal was to ``make the constitution as inclusive as possible so it has the maximum chance to be approved.''

To contact the reporter of this story: Bill Varner at the United Nations at wvarner@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 4, 2005 14:27 EDT