PM urges Iraqis to participate in elections

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday called on Iraqis to actively participate in the upcoming provincial councils elections that would take place on Jan. 31, 2009. Addressing a crowd of Najaf people, the premier said “I call on voters to select their representatives on the basis of honesty, qualification and integrity.” “The upcoming provincial councils elections would show the image of the new Iraq,” he added. Al-Maliki promised to respect the election result, “as it represents the national will,” according to his description. The provincial council elections are due to be held on January 31 in 14 out of 18 Iraqi provinces. MH (P)/SH 1