Maliki backs open voting system in Iraqi elections

Iraqi Premier has called for an open voting system in January parliamentary elections, following demonstrations protesting the adoption of a closed voting system by the parliament.

Nouri al-Maliki called on Parliament on Monday to adopt and approve the open-list system, which was also backed by top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani, Voices of Iraq news agency reported.

He made the request during his meeting with former parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Premier's office said in a statement.

Maliki also called for holding of the January elections on time and avoiding its postponement.

However, based on the report, a debate is still underway in the Parliament about a possible suspension of the elections over the row on the election law.

Previously, the parliament had decided to adopt a closed voting system, which does not identify candidates standing for office.

The plan however provoked demonstrations across the country on Saturday, which came in support of a call by Ayatollah Sistani to adopt an open voting system for the parliamentary elections.

Sistani's official spokesman said earlier that the cleric warned against the closed system which may discourage people from participating in the upcoming vote.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=108506§ionid=351020201.