IRAQ: More than 200 parties register for parliamentary elections

"BAGHDAD, 6 November (IRIN) - Some 228 coalitions and political entities have registered to participate in Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 December, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has announced.

"We have successfully closed the registration period for those parties participating in elections," Commission Spokesman Farid Ayar said in Baghdad on Saturday.

He added, "There is much more interest and participation than in the last government election."

An earlier election, held in January, was widely boycotted by Sunni parties."
Reuters