TEHRAN -- Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi here on Monday called on all candidates for the upcoming city and village council elections to refrain from character assassinations.

Addressing an open session of Majlis, he underlined the need for aspiring local officials to observation of the rules of good conduct and to uphold moral values.

The second city and rural council elections are scheduled to be held nationwide on February 28.

Karrubi expressed hope the elections, which will pit some 200,000 candidates would be safe and sound. Elsewhere in his speech, he called for a massive public turnout "despite the problems which arose from the first city and village councils."

The Majlis speaker also expressed hope that the councils would fare better during their second term compared to the first, IRNA reported.