Karbala forces start implementing security plan ahead of elections

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Security forces on Monday started implementing a tight security plan to protect electoral centers in Karbala during the upcoming provincial council elections, scheduled to take place later this month, the commander of the Karbala operations said. “A total of 20,000 police and intelligence personnel will be deployed across the province to protect voters and electoral centers,” Staff Maj. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Explosive detectors will be distributed to ensure high security levels,” the official added. Nearly 1,179 candidates, including 320 women, are competing for 27 seats in Karbala ’s provincial council. The provincial council elections are due to be held on January 31 in 14 out of 18 Iraqi provinces. The holy Shiite city of Karbala lies 110 km southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad . SH (P) 1