Maliki calls for vote recount in Iraq

[golfguy]

Maliki calls for vote recount in Iraq
Published: March. 21, 2010 at 8:39 AM
ArticlePhotosListenComments.Share BAGHDAD, March 21 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has demanded a recount of votes in parliamentary elections to stave off political instability and renewed violence.

A secular bloc led in the overall vote count but Maliki's coalition stayed in front with a lead in several provinces, CNN reported Sunday. With votes from the March 7 election still being counted, the race remained too close to call.

"The March 7 elections represented a big step on the road to reinforcing the democratic experience in Iraq," Maliki said in a statement.

Citing political blocs' demands for a manual recount, he said it's necessary to "protect the democratic experience and preserve the integrity of the electoral process … to preserve the political stability and prevent the deterioration of the security situation and the return of the violence that was only defeated after effort, blood and hardship."

Iraq's election commission said it won't decide on a recount before it meets.

Maliki's demand came after his State of Law coalition and other leading blocks alleged voter fraud as the gap among votes for candidates narrowed.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani joined in the call for a manual recount.

No signs of major fraud or vote manipulation have been reported by election observers or the United Nations
, which is working with the election commission.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Internat...0121269175145/

[IcemanSC]

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