Election conferences continue in Najaf to enlighten citizens

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Committees have been formed in Al-Hawza Al-Ilmiyah An-Najaf to meet and negotiate with people aimed at making them aware of the importance of polls turn-out.

Ar-Rai Al-Aam newspaper reported this while quoting Ahmed As-Safi, an associate to Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani.

As-Safi said the Marja’iyah (religious authority) supported no group or party, but they only intend to upgrade the people's awareness so as to elect the best.

Meanwhile, the organization of conferences and meetings in the holy city of Najaf between Shia Islamic groups and powers were continued for enlightenment of citizens and encouraging all for participation in the elections, scheduled for 31 January 2005.

Speaking to a conference in Holy Karbala, Ayatullah Sistani’s spokesman Hamed Al-Khaffaf said the Marja’iyah has called for a complete list of all Iraqi candidates for the next polls no matter of what ethnical or religious origins they may come describing the participation of all Iraqis in the forthcoming elections as vital for restoring security in the country.

“Ayatollah Sistani has rejected the idea of not holding polls in certain regions which suffer lack of security,” the spokesman asserted. “Ayatullah Sistani seeks to find a way in order that the Iraqi nationals residing outside the country too could participate in the elections.”

He revealed that Ayatullah Sistani has asked the UN and international communities to observe the elections process so as to prevent any fraud in the polls.

In another development, political advisor to the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Sayyed Mohsen Al-Hakim – named after his grandfather (late) Grand Marjay of Shiite World Sayyed Mohsen Al-Hakim - said that for the time being election is the major priority for Iraq's peace and security.

He said the SCIRI will oppose any delay in elections and appealed to the UN to make maximum efforts to ensure healthy vote in Iraq guaranteeing peace and security in the country.

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