With a close race between the Iraqiya bloc and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s State of Law Alliance, the PM’s call for a vote recount has been shut down by the election commission. Maliki’s call for a recount is at odds with his previous assertion that no complaints could affect the results of the election. While the election results are not officially released until March 26, 2010, the 95% polling estimate shows the Iraqiya leading by 11,000 votes. The Iraq High Electoral Commission has refused the request on the basis that it would take too long to recount votes all across Iraq.
For more information, please visit: The Guardian, Dawn News, CNN.