Islamic State threatens to attack Iraq during next month's parliamentary elections and warns anyone running in the election that they will be considered infidels.
In an audio message broadcast late last night, a spokesman for the group accused the Iraqi Shiite government of acting on behalf of Iran and warned that anyone running in the May 12 election would be targeted.
Iraqi officials have announced that security measures at polling stations will be tightened.
"We warn you Sunnis of Iraq against the seizure of power by these people (Shiites). "Constituencies are our goal, so stay away from them," said Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir.
In December, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over Islamic State, which occupied one-third of Iraq in 2014, but hardline Sunni militants have resorted to guerrilla tactics since the self-proclaimed insurgency collapsed.