Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BAGHDAD, Iraq – On March 21, the Iraqi election commission rejected calls from the country’s prime minister and president for a recount of the votes cast in the March 7 general election. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that for a full manual recount to take place, there must be evidence of serious electoral fraud. Supporters of current Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are threatening to loosen ties with Baghdad if their demands for a recount are not met.
Faraj al-Haidari, the chief of the IHEC, explained the commission’s decision. He said that “they are asking for a manual recount, that is like asking for a re-run of the entire election. If they don’t accept that we are running the best election software in the world then how are they going to believe pen and paper.”
Haidari also explained that if Maliki and his supporters believe that there were some errors or have doubts, they are able to ask for recounts of particular regions. The commission, however, is unwilling to recount all of Iraq.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is pushing strongly for a recount of all votes cast in the election. Maliki claims that a recount is necessary to “preserve political stability and to avoid a deterioration of security and a return of violence which has quelled after much effort and loss of blood.” The Iraqi Prime Minister contends that a manual recount will help ensure the legitimacy of the country’s government.
The Iraqi Prime Minister has a supporter in the country’s president. Iraqi President Jalal Talbani has endorsed Maliki’s call for a recount. Talbani released a statement on his website saying that it was his duty “to preserve the constitution and to ensure justice and absolute transparency.” Talbani then demanded that the IHEC recount the ballots from the general election in order to “preclude any doubt and misunderstanding” in the results.
IHEC is reporting that with over ninety percent of the vote counted, Maliki’s State of Law alliance trails former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya political bloc. Maliki’s alliance does stand to gain more representation in a future parliament as seats are allocated based on the outcome of the votes in each province.
For more information, please see:
Los Angeles Times – Bid for Iraq Vote Recount Intensifies – 23 March 2010
Al Jazeera – Poll Body Reject Iraq Recount Call – 22 March 2010
BBC – Iraq Election Commission Rejects Calls for Vote Recount – 21 March 2010
