Rigged victory not to last- Maliki

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday called for free provincial council elections, set for early next year, adding that “rigged victory does not last long.” “Voters should elect whoever they deem can serve their country and its people,” Maliki said in a speech at the first Anza tribes’ conference in Karbala province. Maliki added that modern states must be built on facts, away from the abominable sectarianism and self-interest. Provincial council elections are scheduled to take place on January 31 in all Iraqi provinces, with the exception of Kirkuk and the Kurdistan region. Karbala, with an estimated population of 572,300 people in 2003, is the capital of the province and is considered to be one of Shiite Muslims’ holiest cities. The city, 110 km south of Baghdad, is one of Iraq’s wealthiest, profiting both from religious visitors and agricultural produce, especially dates. SS (P) 1