ShafaqNews– BabilThe BabilProvincial Council failed on Saturday to convene a scheduled session to selecta new governor after it fell short of the required legal quorum, according tosources familiar with the matter.Speakingto Shafaq News, the sources indicated that the session, planned at the BabilResort, was postponed after only eight of the council’s 18 members —includingthe council president— attended, well below the number needed to proceed withvoting.Thecouncil opted to delay the session to a later date, to be determined oncequorum requirements can be met.Inresponse, the Sadiqoon Movement, led by Qais Al-Khazali and affiliated withformer
Babil Governor Adnan Fayhan recently elected as First Deputy Speaker ofParliament, accused rival political forces of deliberately blocking the vote toprevent its nominee from advancing.Themovement indicated in a statement that its candidate was selected based on“competence, integrity, and strength,” asserting that opponents pressured and“discredited” several elected council members to disrupt the session. It addedthat any response from its supporters would remain within constitutional andlegal frameworks.Publicpressure has been growing in Babil against political power-sharingarrangements, locally known as “muhasasa.” Council member Mohammed Al-Mansourinoted earlier this week that such arrangements have become increasinglyunpopular, adding that the council now faces a critical test following recentprotests.OnTuesday, dozens of residents demonstrated in the province, calling for theappointment of former lawmaker Amir Al-Maamouri as governor and arguing thatthe selection should be free from party quotas and centralized political decisions.Observingthat the ongoing civic movement reflects rising public awareness, Al-Maamouridescribed efforts to choose a governor outside the quota system as a “positivestep.” He added that any candidate should secure a majority of “50 percent plusone” within the council to ensure political legitimacy.