Iraqi prime minister’s party accuses rivals of breaking campaign rules by using cleric’s image
By APMonday, March 1, 2010
Iraqi PM’s party: Rivals broke campaign rules
BAGHDAD — The political party of Iraq’s prime minister is accusing a rival of breaking campaign rules by circulating flyers bearing the likeness of the country’s top Shiite cleric.
Spokesman Khalid Shanshal of the Dawa party in the southern city of Basra says the Iraqi National Alliance printed millions of flyers claiming that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani supports its candidates.
Sistani is revered by Iraq’s Shiite majority, but he hasn’t endorsed candidates for the March 7 vote.
Ammar Muthana of the local electoral commission said using religious figures, mosques and holy sites in campaign materials is against the rules.
The Iraqi National Alliance is one of the most popular Shiite political parties. It is believed to have strong ties to Iran.
