IRAQ is about to hold its first democratic elections since the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein.

The people of Iraq will choose 275 members of a national assembly, which will debate and approve a new constitution to pave the way for new elections in December 2005.

More than 120 parties - except Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party - are fielding candidates for the assembly.

Each is presenting at least 12 candidates with every third being a woman to ensure 25% of the assembly seats go to females.

American and British forces hope the elections will lead to an end to attacks by insurgents in Iraq and will pave the way for conflict to end.

However, they will be on standby during the elections to calm any troubles that break out.

The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) is managing the elections and has allowed the International Organisation for Migration to conduct an Out-of-Country Voting (OCV) programme to allow Iraqi refugees living abroad to vote.

Centres around the world have registered Iraqis to vote and will act as polling stations during the election from January 28 to 30.

In Britain, the polls will be in Glasgow, London and Manchester.

Alan Brooke, from Huddersfield charity Kirklees Refugees and Friends Together, said it will be easier for Iraqis living abroad to show their true views in the election.

He said: "Some people are sceptical about having elections when a civil war is on.

"They can vote in safety here in Britain but it's different in Iraq.

"For people over there, it will be hard because the insurgents have threatened to kill anyone who votes for certain parties."

On this page we speak to two Iraqi Kurds living in Huddersfield to get their views about the elections.

HEIWA arrived in Britain four years ago and lived in Croydon before coming to Huddersfield.

He has registered to vote and said: "I think the elections will be successful."

But he was unsure if they would calm the long-term situation.

He said: "When Saddam was president, your vote had to go to Saddam's party.

"Now, there are a lot of different people and it is hard to say who is best.

"If the people let it be successful it will be all right. The population have to be all together."

Heiwa is unsure whether he will move back to Iraq permanently. But he hopes for peace, so he can visit his family.

WALI has been in Huddersfield for almost four years.

He came from Iraq to escape Saddam Hussein's regime.

He has not been able to register to vote because he does not have time to travel to Manchester, due to his college classes.

However, he said: "I'm so happy for the elections, because they are for my future. If the country is not safe we can't go back."

However, Wali is unsure whether he would return to Iraq to live. He said: "I have been here four years. I have work, so I have a different life. Changing again would be difficult."