The Iraqi "Light Unto the Islamic Nations" experiment with democracy continues.

From AP:

"Gunmen ambush electoral officials in southern Iraq"

BAGHDAD - Masked gunmen ambushed a bus carrying election workers in southern Iraq on Monday, killing two of them including an official known for resisting interference by Shiite religious extremists, authorities said.

A third election employee was wounded in the attack, which occurred when gunmen opened fire as their car passed the bus in the Abu al-Khasib area south of Basra, police and election officials said.

The dead included the head of a local government committee preparing for provincial elections, Maath Wahab, and his deputy, Jassim Mohammed, according to Hazim al-Rubaie, director of Basra electoral committee.

No group claimed responsibility and no arrests have been made. But local officials said Wahab was known for resisting interference in the electoral process by Shiite religious extremists.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their own safety.