Shiites demand populist candidate be Karbala governor

Karbala: Hundreds of Shiites have taken to the streets in the holy city of Karbala to insist that a populist candidate who won the most votes be governor.

Saturday's rally for Youssef Al Haboubi is the latest sign of a backlash against mainstream and religious parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since the 2003 US invasion.

Supporters chanting "No to dominant parties" and "We demand the right of voters" say the 51-year-old independent candidate should be governor because he won the most votes in provincial elections.

But Al Haboubi got just one council seat because he ran without any political allies.

Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's allies and another Shiite party are expected to join forces to gain the majority needed to appoint a governor.