Iraq may ban images of religious figures in poll

By Mohammed Abbas and Ahmed Rasheed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's cabinet wants to ban parties from using pictures of figures who are not running for office at campaign rallies in local elections, the government's spokesman said on Thursday.

Campaigning in places of worship would also be prohibited, a statement from government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said, adding that the bans were among amendments to a provincial elections law being submitted to parliament for a vote.

Pictures of religious leaders are almost always displayed at Shi'ite political gatherings and during election campaigns.

Political sources said the ban was mainly aimed at preventing Shi'ite groups from using posters of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest Shi'ite religious leader in Iraq.

In past polls, some Shi'ite factions have displayed posters of Sistani alongside images of their candidates to appeal to voters' religious sentiments, implying they have his blessing.

Dabbagh said in the statement the government wanted "to ban using posters and promoting figures who are not taking part in the elections campaign".

The ban could also hurt the movement of the anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose Mehdi Army militia fought battles with government forces in April and May, before a truce.

His political party is not running but is seeking to gain influence by backing other candidates.