Security operation launched in Basra ahead of poll

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: A security plan on Saturday was launched in Basra province to maintain law and order during the upcoming provincial elections, due to be held later this month, Basra’s Operations Command said. “A joint force from the army and police was deployed to roads and checkpoints as part of a security plan to secure the electoral process,” Col. Abbas al-Tamimi told IraqiNews.com news agency. The plan will be entirely carried out by Iraqi forces, the official explained, adding that the Multi-National Force (MNF) will remain in its bases. A total of 1,268 candidates, including 300 women, are competing for 35 seats in the upcoming provincial council elections in Basra province, scheduled to take place on January 31. The Shiite province of Basra lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. SS (P) 1