I don't know how many, or if any Knoxviewians have pondered a scenario of how an election in Iraq might possibly work, but this is how I perceive that one might be feasible. This may also have been suggested before. More after the break.

First elections would be held in each faction to determine the candidate that would run in the national election.
The Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites would each elect a candidate.

Months later the national election would be held to elect the president of Iraq. If a person voted in the Sunni election they would be unable to vote again for the Sunni candidate. They would have to vote for either the Kurd or Shiite candidate. The same would happen with each faction.

The candidate with the highest total percentage of votes would become President

One problem that would be encountered is, how would they get anyone to vote for a person from another faction? The answer to this is, suspend their factional voting privileges until after they've voted in the next national election.

Below is an example of a Shiite win:

Sunni's Iraqi national election:
12000 votes for the Kurd candidate or 13%
80000 votes for the Shiite candidate or 87%

92000 total

Kurd's Iraqi national election:
45000 votes for the Shiite candidate; or 85%
8000 votes for the Sunni candidate; or 15%

53000 total

Shiite's Iraqi national election:
20000 votes for the Sunni candidate; or 65%
13000 votes for the Kurd candidate; or 35%

33000 total

Next total all percentages for each candidate. The candidate with the highest percentage total, not the total votes, would become President.

total Sunni vote percentage: 15% + 65% = 80
total Kurd vote percentage: 13% + 35% = 48
total Shiite vote percentage: 85% + 87% = 172

In this circumstance, the Shiite candidate would become president.
The Sunni candidate would head the Senate
The Kurd candidate would head the Congress

(End of example)

Maybe this could bring a sense of unity between factions. The fact that they had to vote for a candidate from another faction could create a feeling of voting for "My Candidate" verses "Your Candidate". which could help break down faction barriers. It is just a thought!