Ayat Sistani calls for Iraqis abroad to vote, issues verdict

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Marja’iyah Ad-Diniyah (religious authority) Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani has issued a fatwa (verdict) that recording of names in the electoral records, work on which will start in the beginning of next month for preparation for the January elections, is obligatory.

A statement from the office of Ayatullah As-Sistani in Holy Najaf said, “It is obligatory for all citizens, men and women, qualified for the vote to get their names recorded in the voters’ records correctly”.

Ayatullah As-Sistani demanded from his trusted representatives in the fatwa “the creation of people committees in their regions to assist citizens on the achievement of this matter until it becomes possible for all to participate in the elections that we wish to be held in time and must be free and fair”.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s interim Vice-President Ibrahim Jafri met with Ayatullah Sistani in the Holy city of Najaf to discuss elections, grounding circumstances for its success through wide participation by Iraqis. The cleric called for the necessity of participation of all Iraqis within the country or abroad in the upcoming elections. He has repeatedly urged Iraqis to participate in the elections on a large scale.

END