ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday called on his supporters not to attack the upcoming local elections in the country. However, the Shiite leader is determined to boycott the vote.
“Do not attack their corrupt elections,” said Sadr in a statement, referring to the December 18 polls. “Preserve Iraq’s security and stability… Iraq is your responsibility.”
Sadr, who was at loggerheads with his political rivals in the parliament and government, last year announced his retirement from politics.
His supporters have blocked candidates running for the provincial council from putting up posters across the alleys and streets of Sadr City.
The elections will be held in all Iraqi provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region.
The provincial councils were dissolved in 2019 in response to demands by Tishreen protesters who criticized the system for its failures and for enabling corruption. After several postponements, the election date was set for December 18. The last vote was held in 2013, excluding Kirkuk.
The Sadrist Movement has held dozens of huge demonstrations in the capital city of Baghdad and elsewhere.
The movement was the main winner of the 2021 parliamentary vote but it withdrew from the parliament the following year after failing to form a cabinet with other Shiite political parties.
