Reporter's Notebook: Election signs rare in Sadr City district

[unhappycamper]

Political posters advertise a National Reform System candidate in Baghdad’s Sadr City district. Such posters are rare in Sadr City because few candidates have the money for widespread campaigning.


Reporter's Notebook: Election signs rare in Sadr City district
By James Warden, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, December 27, 2008

BAGHDAD — Just over a month until Iraq’s elections are due to take place, there’s a feeling that something is missing in Sadr City.

The political posters that are such a ubiquitous part of American — and Iraqi — campaign seasons are few and far between in this district of Baghdad.

Hassan Shama, the chairman of the Sadr City District Council who’s running for a Governorate Council seat, said that’s because few campaigners have the money to pay for such posters.

While candidates are campaigning, they are limited by how much money they have.

Only those with financial backers can afford can afford pictures, posters and other advertising, he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59649