Diyala provincial council head Ibrahim Bajalan has expressed apprehension about the fate of the upcoming provincial government elections, slated for January 31, because many areas are controlled by elements linked to Al-Qaeda.
Bajalan said that voters in these areas are afraid to go to the polls, or will give in to pressure to vote for Al-Qaeda associates, and that perhaps these elections will be cancelled.
He added that arrest warrants have been issued against 15 candidates on suspicion of involvement in terror.
An Iraqi army officer even warned against possible attacks by Al-Qaeda at election centers across the country.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, January 28, 2009
