KERBALA: A bomb killed at least 20 people on Wednesday as they poured into Iraq’s holy city of Kerbala, triggering criticism of security forces and politicians before a potentially bloody March election.

The attack was the latest this week by suspected Sunni insurgents on Shiites making a religious trek to the city during a politically charged election period.

But in a move that may ease some sectarian tensions, an appeals panel agreed to allow candidates banned for ties to Saddam Hussein’s outlawed Baath party to stand in the poll.

Police and hospital sources said Wednesday’s bomb, which was planted in a cart pulled by a motorcycle, wounded up to 110 people in Kerbala, 80 km southwest of Baghdad.

Police said that a bomb attached to a military vehicle killed three people and wounded 21 others on Tuesday in Kerbala.

On Monday, a female suicide bomber killed more than 40 pilgrims on the outskirts of Baghdad.

Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki has made improved security across Iraq a central theme of his campaign for the March 7 parliamentary election.

“These attacks are aimed at undermining Iraq’s efforts to have a successful national election by throwing the country back into sectarian strife,” political analyst Hazim Al-Nuaimi said.

“Some regional countries want a weak Iraq to serve their interests,” he added.

Tensions springing from the violence have been exacerbated by Sunni suspicions that a ban on candidates suspected of links to Saddam’s Baath party was an attempt by Iraq’s Shiite majority to sideline them in the poll.

Electoral officials said an appeal panel that ruled the nearly 500 banned candidates would be allowed to stand after all, potentially defusing the controversy that had threatened to reopen old sectarian wounds.

“The appeals panel decided to allow the banned candidates to participate in the next election and decided to postpone looking into the case until after the election,” Hamdiya Al-Husseini, a member of the Independent High Electoral Commission, said.

The candidates would not be able to assume office if they won until the panel gives a final ruling, she said.

Sunni lawmaker Saleh Al-Mutlaq, who is on the list, called the decision a “victory” for the Iraqi people. But Mohammed Al-Nasiri of Maliki’s Dawa party said: “This is a very bad thing ... This resolution is rejected, and the Baathists and their supporters cannot participate in the election.”

Iraq is trying to leave behind years of sectarian carnage, war and mayhem. It is starting to revamp a dilapidated oil sector that provides Iraq with nearly all its revenues.

“We will never bow to terrorists. Today I’m coming to Kerbala to practice my rituals and soon I will vote with same determination,” said Jasim Mohammed, a civil servant.