Iraq election workers shot dead

The electoral workers were dragged from their car and shot dead on one of Baghdad's main streets

At least three Iraqi election workers have been shot dead in Baghdad in what the Electoral Commission believes was a targeted attack by insurgents.

The commission is overseeing national polls on 30 January.

The attack occurred in Haifa Street, a focal point for Sunni militants who have vowed to disrupt the elections.

It happened at about 0700 local time (0400 GMT), police sources said.

On fire

Reports say the gunmen fired on a car and then dragged out and shot the passengers, whom witnesses said were wearing civilian clothes.

The poll workers' car was set ablaze after the Baghdad gun attack

The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says this is the kind of attack that officials have both feared and anticipated ahead of the polls.

A member of the Electoral Commission, Adyl Alami, said he believed the workers were deliberately targeted.

It is still not known who was behind the killings, but insurgents have made it clear they want to disrupt the polls.

Farid Ayar, spokesman for the commission, said no board members were involved in the attack.

The car was set on fire after the raid.

The Reuters news agency said its reporters then witnessed insurgents with AK-47s and pistols setting up a roadblock, searching every car that passed.

About 6,000 Iraqis have been trained in how to conduct elections and 130,000 will staff polling stations.

The US is boosting troop numbers to a record high of 150,000 to cope with an anticipated rise in violence ahead of the elections and also to make sure they go ahead in relative safety.

But analysts have warned that it might be impossible to prevent more small-scale attacks like Sunday's in Baghdad.