- Title: IRAQ: NAJAF PREPARES FOR ELECTIONS
- Date: 27th January 2005
- Summary: (BN8) NAJAF, IRAQ (JANUARY 27, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE/ PAN OF NAJAF CITY SKYLINE WITH NAJAF MOSQUE DOME IN BACKGROUND 0.07 2. WIDE OF MOSQUE ON SKYLINE 0.13 3. WIDE OF EXTERIOR OF BUILDING, ABDEL AZIZ AL-HAKIM'S SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC REVOLUTION 0.18 4. CLOSE OF SECURITY OUTSIDE BUILDING/ PAN DOWN OF ELECTION POSTERS ON BUILDING 0.25 5. VARIOUS OF CAMPAIGN POSTERS 0.31 6. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CARRYING CAMPAIGN BANNERS 0.37 7. CLOSE OF BANNERS SAYING: 'WE ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN PEACE AND RECONCILIATION INSTEAD OF WAR AND FIGHTING - IBRAHIM JAAFARI' 0.46 8. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SETTING UP BANNERS 0.51 9. VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC DRIVING PAST ELECTION BANNERS 0.57 10. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ADNAN AJEEL, CANDIDATE IN AL-HAKIM'S LIST, SAYING: "We are optimistic because the Iraqi people, especially those in Najaf are united in one stand. We all think that the elections are the only to end the crisis of the Iraqi people. I think that most Iraqis will follow the religious authorities. There are no security worries. Security is stable and we are prepared for the elections." 1.33 11. WIDE OF SECURITY OUTSIDE SCHOOL BEING USED AS VOTING CENTRE 1.39 12. VARIOUS OF ELECTION POSTERS 1.42 13. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BUSHRA AL-ZAMILI, HEAD OF NAJAF POLLING CENTRE, SAYING: "Regarding our work on the day of the elections, we are focusing on two issues: the first being the security situation. We have met with the security in the area, in order to... 2.19 14. SLV PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET 2.25 15. WIDE OF STREET WITH TRAFFIC AND MINERET TOWER 2.30 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 11th February 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NAJAF, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVA2CX89VL2ZFNNUQMBKUIDO1PH1
- Story Text: Final preparations are being made in Najaf ahead of
national elections.
Shi'ites continued with their campaign in the holy
city of Najaf on Thursday (January 27) - days ahead of
national elections expected to be dominated by a Shi'ite
alliance.
Banners and posters in support of Abdel Aziz al-Hakim,
leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in
Iraq, hung outside his headquarters where security has been
tightened fearing attacks on the day of the polls.
But despite fears of spectacular attack, Adnan Ajeel, a
candidate on Al-Hakim's list, said he was confident that
the elections will help Iraqis in improving their political
and security situation.
"We are optimistic because the Iraqi people, especially
those in Najaf are united in one stand. We all think that
the elections are the only to end the crisis of the Iraqi
people."
"There are no security worries. Security is stable and
we are prepared for the elections," he added
The government plans extraordinary security steps over
the election, closing Baghdad airport and Iraq's borders,
extending night curfews and banning cars from roads on
voting day.
Bushra Al-Zamili, the head of Najaf's polling center,
said that all arrangements have been made for the elections
and polling stations will be safe.
"We have met with the security in the area, in order to
secure all polling station in Najaf. We have prepared 235
polling stations in the city and on the outskirts. These
polling stations are ready both logistically and staff wise."
Iraq's Shi'ites strongly support the elections. Many
Sunni parties are boycotting the polls, saying the
insurgency raging in their central heartlands will prevent
supporters from voting and this will skew the results.
A low Sunni turnout could undermine the credibility of
the election and add to fears of sectarian strife.
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