Election day, following day official holidays

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The higher security committee supervising the local elections said January 31 and February 1 will be official holidays, while a curfew will be imposed from 10:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m. on January 30-31 as part of an emergency plan. “The committee also decided to prohibit licensed arms bearing by civilians on January 30-31 and a closure of the international borders at 10:00 p.m. on January 30 to 05:00 a.m. on January 31, and closure of domestic and international airports from 10:00 p.m. on January 30 to 05:00 a.m. on February 1,” the committee said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The Iraqi government is depending on these provincial council elections, scheduled to be held on January 31, to curb violence in the country by getting some armed groups to participate in the political process.   AmR (P)/SR 1