Election campaigning started today for Iraq's March election with party workers putting up election advertisements across Baghdad.
Iraqi and US officials hope the March 7th parliamentary election will solidify the country's young democracy and draw former insurgents and militias into the political process just as US troops prepare to withdraw.
The sectarian warfare unleashed by the 2003 US invasion has receded. But tensions between once dominant Sunnis and majority Shias remain high, stoked by the Shia-led government's rhetoric against Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party and moves to ban candidates accused of Baathist ties.
Many Iraqis may yet end up voting according to religious, political and tribal affiliation, and not the competence of candidates, said Baghdad University analyst Saad al-Hadithi.
Iraq's Shias were urged on by religious leaders in the 2005 national elections to vote for Shia Islamist parties.
"I believe a lack of services has no big effect in Iraq . . . it's affiliations to this or that side. There are political pressures that control the Iraqi voter," Mr Hadithi said.
Reuters