Iraq’s Sistani declines to support party in elections

Prominent Shia cleric Ali Al-Sistani today voiced his unwillingness to throw his support behind any Iraqi political party in parliamentary polls slated for next week.

He made the assertion in a sermon delivered on his behalf by his deputy, Ahmad Al-Safi, in the city of Karbala.

Speaking for Al-Sistani, Al-Safi asserted: “The religious authority [Al-Sistani] is maintaining a distance from all [parliamentary] candidates and electoral lists, meaning he does not support any particular person or group.”

Al-Safi went on to urge Iraqi voters to “avoid falling into the trap of those who have previously erred”.

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On 12 May, more than 7,000 candidates – representing 320 parties, coalitions and lists – will compete for membership in Iraq’s 328-seat parliament.

According to Iraq’s constitution, the assembly will then be responsible for electing the country’s next president and prime minister.

Twenty-four million people – out of Iraq’s total population of 37 million – are eligible to cast ballots.