Has made holding them untenable

[NewHope]

context:
Some Iraqi leaders have called for a postponement of the elections, saying that the continuing violence has made holding them untenable, especially in the Sunni-dominated areas north and west of Baghdad. Millions of voters would have to brave the threat of attacks by guerrillas to go to polling stations.
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Why not just use "has made them untenable"? What does "holding" mean there?

[Casiopea]

context:
Some Iraqi leaders have called for a postponement of the elections, saying that the continuing violence has made holding them untenable, especially in the Sunni-dominated areas north and west of Baghdad. Millions of voters would have to brave the threat of attacks by guerrillas to go to polling stations.
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Why not just use "has made them untenable"? What does "holding" mean there?

. . . violence has made holding the elections untenable, . . .

[Marylin]

context:
Some Iraqi leaders have called for a postponement of the elections, saying that the continuing violence has made holding them untenable, especially in the Sunni-dominated areas north and west of Baghdad. Millions of voters would have to brave the threat of attacks by guerrillas to go to polling stations.
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Why not just use "has made them untenable"? What does "holding" mean there?

I think there is no harm in dropping the word "holding" altogether and the meaning will still remain pretty much the same. The word "hold" refers to "elections" as in "to hold elections". To hold an election is to go ahead with the election process where people choose their favorite candidate to become their leader.

[NewHope]

Thanks!