[JURIST] The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq [official website] is wrapping up preparations for the October 15 vote [IECI fact sheet, PDF; Q/A, PDF] on Iraq's draft constitution [JURIST news archive]. The IECI, with support from the UN, has hired over 100,000 poll workers and has distributed ballots, ballot boxes, and voter screens [AKI report]. The Iraqi government has also launched a TV ad campaign [AFP report] encouraging the 15.7 million Iraqi registered voters to have their say. Meanwhile, the US military has warned of an increase in insurgent violence leading up to the vote, but Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch told reporters Thursday that US casualties were actually down between May and August, and promised "a safe and secure environment for the people of Iraq during the referendum." AP has more.