Iraq parliamentary election campaign kicks off

The parliamentary election campaign has officially kicked off in Iraq with 6,172 candidates competing in the March 7 nationwide election.

Campaign posters and banners were seen across the Iraqi capital Baghdad and other cities by early Friday morning.

Hundreds of people were also walking in the streets distributing cards introducing the various candidates vying for the 325 seats in parliament.

Detailed articles about candidates will be published in newspapers.

The Iraqi parliamentary election campaign continues until March 5.

Last month, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission blacklisted 511 candidates over links to the political and military apparatus of former dictator, Saddam Hussein.

The US has been pushing for the return of ex-Baath members to Iraq’s political arena. While Washington argues that such a move will boost the reconciliation process in the war-torn country, some analysts believe the step is aimed at undermining those politicians whose views are in conflict with US policies.