Iraq’s Sistani Urges Heavy Turnout in Elections to ‘Eliminate Corrupt Figures’

Arab World

October 1st, 5:52am

Baghdad – Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqi security forces stand guard as officials of the Independent High Electoral Commission conduct a draw to select candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election, in the central city of Najaf on July 7. (AFP)

Iraq’s highest Shiite religious authority, Ali al-Sistani will resume Friday sermons on October 1 after a two-year break and just ten days before the country holds parliamentary elections. Sistani will hold the sermon from the city of al-Najaf. He had stopped holding the weekly sermon for “disclosed and undisclosed” reasons. It was widely understood that he had stopped the sermons due to his disapproval of the practices of the ruling political class, especially the Shiite forces and parties. The coronavirus pandemic was another excuse to stop holding them. Sistani declared that he would resume his sermons in a statement on Wednesday. He also called for a heavy turnout in the elections, which are set for October 10, “to prevent corrupt figures from making it to parliament.” He called on voters to draw lessons from the past, stressing that the heavy turnout will prevent corrupt figures from again making it to power. In spite of their flaws, he noted, the elections remain the safest way to lead the country towards a better future and to avoid falling into chaos and political deadlock. “The voters must understand the value of their vote,” he stressed. They must “seize the opportunity to create real change in managing the country and to keep away corrupt and unqualified figures from taking control.” All political forces and figures were quick to express their support to his statement. Sistani has since 2015 refused to welcome any Iraqi politician. He has however, met with foreign officials who are keen on meeting with him when making trips to Iraq. His most significant meeting was with Pope Francis, who traveled to Iraq in March. No Iraqi official was present at their talks. Sistani also occasionally meets with UN envoy to Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and met last year with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Meanwhile, President Barham Salih said the elections will be a “turning point” in Iraq. In televised remarks, he acknowledged vote-buying was taking place, but stressed that authorities have made the necessary preparations to hold the polls. “Iraq has endured difficult times and everyone realizes the importance of reform and that the current system is incapable of providing the people with a dignified life,” he added. Commenting on Sistani’s statement, he tweeted that his orders are “a keen national stance that was made during a critical time for the sake of protecting the nation and championing the people.” MP and electoral candidate Hussein Arab told Asharq Al-Awsat that Sistani’s call for a heavy turnout will be witnessed during the elections. His call also offers “major hope to and boosts the chances of independent and non-partisan candidates”. “The call will largely change the equation given the influence the religious authority has and the respect the people have for him,” he remarked.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3219916/iraq%E2%80%99s-sistani-urges-heavy-turnout-elections-%E2%80%98eliminate-corrupt-figures%E2%80%99