Iraq's main Shi'ite Muslim parties called today for elections to go ahead on January 30th as scheduled, rejecting demands by Sunni and secular politicians for the poll to be postponed amid relentless violence.
In a joint statement, 42 parties including the leading Dawa Party and Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), labelled moves to delay the poll by six months illegal.
"The political parties which have signed this statement held a meeting to affirm their full committment to elections being held on the set date without delay," the petition said.
"Postponement is illegal and contradicts the interim constitution and Security Council resolution 1546.
" The interim constitution approved by the United Nations sets January 31st as a deadline for holding democratic elections in Iraq. "
The statement came a day after 17 Sunni and secular parties, including the two main Kurdish parties, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Accord and a party led by elder statesman Adnan Pachachi, said the poll should be delayed.
Sunni Arabs, who feel marginalised since the war that toppled fellow Sunni Saddam Hussein, have been pushing for a delay, saying violence in Sunni areas, particularly after a US offensive on Fallujah, has made a viable vote impossible. Some have threatened to boycott the poll if it goes ahead.
Secular parties also fear being marginalised by Shi'ite Islamist parties, two of which command huge popular support. But Iraq's 60 per cent Shi'ite majority, oppressed under Saddam, is keen for the election go ahead on time, knowing it is likely to cement the increased power they have enjoyed since the former president's overthrow.