Independents have high hopes in Basra

BASRA, Iraq, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Independent candidates for provincial council seats in the Iraqi province of Basra may navigate Shiite political rivalries to make gains in the polls.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launched a military offensive in Basra last year to run Shiite militias out of the region. Some analysts, however, saw it as a political move as Maliki's Islamic Dawa Party and rival Shiite parties Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the Sadrist Movement of Moqtada Sadr and the eristic Fadhila Party all vie for power in the south.

Hatem Albachary, an independent candidate in the Saturday election, said many Iraqis are frustrated with the political climate, seeing rivalries taking precedence over government action, the Financial Times reported Friday.

"After 2005, what benefits did the normal Iraqi, the poor Iraqi, get? Nothing," he said.

Basra, with its oil reserves and bustling ports, is considered the economic hub of Iraq. Independent candidates like Albachary said renewed focus on municipal needs would contribute to the general reconstruction effort in Iraq.

"We are looking forward to our next generation -- it's very important we get the right leaders," he said.

Shawqi al-Maliki with SIIC recognized the importance of the provincial elections, in which some 14,400 candidates are campaigning for the 440 seats.

"The elections will change the policy map," he said.