BAGHDAD, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Iraq will do all it can to hold a provincial election by the end of this year instead of leaving the long-awaited vote until early 2009, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said on Monday.

The election was due in October, but after delays in passing the law authorising it, the poll had been expected to take place by the end of January.

Maliki met election officials on Monday and discussed preparations for the polls.

"Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki confirmed that his government will take all necessary steps to enable the Independent High Electoral Commission to carry out the provincial election before the end of the current year and not postpone it to next year, and to hold the election in a transparent atmosphere without fraud and manipulation," his office said in a statement.

"Iraqi security and armed forces are completely ready to protect polling stations. The security plans have been put in place to achieve this goal."

The election will give groups which boycotted the last regional polls in 2005 a say in provincial government for the first time.

But the election is also seen as a potential flashpoint for violence, with powerful regional bosses facing the prospect of being voted out of office for the first time. (Reporting by Waleed Ibrahim; editing by Elizabeth Piper)

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