Iraqi election recount gets underway

Officials began a manual recount of national election ballots in the Baghdad Monday. Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki had called for the recount, claiming he lost votes because of alleged violations at polling centers in the capital. Officials from the United Nations and US Embassy are monitoring the recount.

Reuters

Baghdad was the biggest prize in the election on 7 March. Though al-Malaki narrowly won the capital, former premier Iyad Allawi’s holds a 91-89 seat lead in parliamentary seats.

The recount is one of a series of delays that has stopped a new government from being formed.

Al-Malaki is hoping the recount will widen his lead in Baghdad, allowing him to reverse the outcome nationally.

The Supreme Court has yet to ratify the results, and neither candidate has formed the coalitions necessary to form a majority government.

The election is the second one since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which toppled Saddam Hussein.