Posted on 07/03/2008 6:51:43 AM PDT by forkinsocket
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's cabinet wants to ban parties from using pictures of figures who are not running for office at campaign rallies for local elections, the government's spokesman said on Thursday.
Campaigning in places of worship would also be prohibited, a statement from government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
Pictures of religious leaders are almost always displayed at Shi'ite political gatherings and during election campaigns.
Political sources said that ban was mainly aimed at preventing Shi'ite groups from using posters of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest Shi'ite religious leader in Iraq.
Analysts said, in past elections, some Shi'ite factions gained more support from voters by displaying posters of Sistani along posters of their candidates, implying they have his blessing.
Sistani has been always keen on distancing himself from the daily Shi'ite politics and only gets involved on major crisis, the sources said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
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