An Iraqi couple registers for the elections in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk (AFP)

By Samir Haddad, IOL Correspondent

BAGHDAD, December 12 (IslamOnline.net) – The inability of Iraq’s major Sunni powers to thrash out a unified position on the general elections, scheduled for January, leaves most Sunnis caught in the dilemma of to vote or not to vote.

The Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS), the highest Sunni religious authority in the country, called for a boycott of the vote, citing the impossibility of organizing fair elections held under current deteriorating conditions.

The Islamic Party, a major Sunni political player, and other smaller groups have signaled readiness to vie in the elections to choose a 275-member assembly that will write a permanent constitution.

“I’m concerned about the future of my family and fellow Sunnis and is torn between the AMS’s boycott calls and the Islamic Party’s to cast our ballots,” professor Yasser Taleb of the Technology University in Baghdad told IslamOnline.net.

He wonder how is that the AMS’s chief Harith Al-Dari – a scholar on Hadith (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings) – and Islamic party’s head Mohsen Abdul Hamid – a Noble Qur’an professor - were unable to reach a common position on the January elections.

“This leaves Sunnis baffled and unable to decide on whether or not to cast their votes.”

Unclear Position

The Association of Muslim Scholars stands firmly against holding elections under the current deteriorating conditions

Taleb’s concerns were also echoed by Eng. Ahmed Rami, 30.

“I don’t know what to do. I have not made up my mind yet whether to vote or not.”

Pro. Omar Abdul Raziq of the Baghdad University agreed.

“Less than two months before the vote, the position of the Sunnis is still unclear.”

So far, close to 70 groups, including the AMS, have pledged to boycott the elections, charging that any poll should only be held after the withdrawal of foreign troops.

However, the Islamic Party, the National Democratic Party and the Independent Democrats confirmed participation in the elections to “protect the rights of Sunnis.”

Pro. Abdul Raziq regretted the inability of the Sunni powers to close ranks at a time the Shiites and Kurds have already announced unified elections lists.

Major Shiite groups unveiled Thursday, December 9, a unified list of 228 candidates to vie in the general elections.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Kurdistan Democratic Party  (KDP) and the Islamic party of Kurdistan also have a unified slate for the vote.

At Odds

The Islamic Party repeatedly defended its decision to participate in the elections.

“The elections would be followed by the drafting of a permanent constitution and any boycott would deny the Sunnis their rights,” it said.

The Islamic Party had threatened before to quit the interim government over the Fallujah onslaught.

The Islamic party’s position on the elections drew fire from the AMS.

“The Islamic party seeks to serve its own interests just like many others,” said Bashar Al-Fayidi, a spokesman for the AMS.

He recalled that the party had decided to boycott the elections and later changed hearts.

Mothana Harith Al-Dari, another AMS spokesman, told IslamOnline.net on Thursday, December 9, that the party’s decision was prompted by fears of being politically marginalized.

He highlighted divisions within the party’s ranks regarding the elections.

“The Islamic party’s bureau in Mosul decided to boycott and the majority of the party’s supporters are against participation in the lections,” he added.

“Taking part in elections like these means nothing but to grant legitimacy to a completely illegal situation.”