Iraqi CP criticizes turning elections into battles of political sloganeering

Iraqi CP criticizes turning provincial elections

into battles of political sloganeering

Mufid al-Jazairy, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of Iraqi Communist Party, has criticized turning the provincial elections, that will take place on 31 January 2009, into battles of political slogans or settling accounts that have nothing to do with the interests of the people.

In a statement given to "Tareeq Al-Shaab", the central organ of the party, he stressed the need to focus on the issues of services and providing job opportunities for the unemployed.

Al-Jazairy warned against not taking legal action against those are found guilty of financial corruption, among officials and others. He explained that both phenomena, the abuse of power and the continued financial and administrative corruption, are among the key reasons that make the Iraqi voter unenthusiastic to go to the ballot box in the provincial elections.

He added that Iraqi citizens are still demanding the implementation of promises and the provision of all prerequisites for a prosperous life, including plans for housing, tackling unemployment and rebuilding the infrastructure that have been obstructed due to widespread corruption in government departments. He called for swift and effective action to regulate the spending of funds allocated to the provincial councils. "There are quarters that seek to transform the forthcoming election process into a battle of political slogans and the exploit some circumstances to serve their interest, while turning a blind eye to the poor performance of those responsible for the the misappropriation of funds earmarked for national programs and tackling unemployment," he said.

Source: "Tareeq Al-Shaab", the central organ of the Iraqi Communist Party, 27 January 2009.