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Chaos marks Iraq election vote tally
It was the latest example of the disorder in Iraq’s postelection count, which has fueled uncertainty and allegations of fraud. Questions about the vote’s validity could undermine US. ambitions to set a standard for democracy in the Middle East.
Preliminary results from Iraq’s 18 provinces have trickled out daily. Generally they are released on TV screens for reporters to write down, although recently they’ve been handed out on CDs. The piecemeal tallying is in stark contrast to the December 2005 parliamentary elections and last year’s provincial vote, when results came in a more orderly fashion with a steady stream of updates.
Anti-fraud checks
The Independent High Electoral Commission said out-of-country voting, increased anti-fraud checks and a more complex ballot made the process more difficult.
International observers have lauded Iraqi officials for their overall performance but some have said little attention was paid to how much time the count would actually take. There has also been conflicting information about when results would be released, if released at all.
One day, results were posted only to be pulled back minutes later and described as “errors.” When pressed why the results were taking so long, a commission official began to respond, only to break off to take a call on his cell phone from his mother.
So far, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition is leading in the tight race, with 89 percent of the ballots counted.
Thursday’s results show his State of Law with a roughly 40,000-vote lead over his closest competitor, former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite who heads the Iraqiya coalition. Al-Maliki also was ahead in more provinces -- seven to Allawi’s five -- an important factor because parliament seats are apportioned by province.
However, the eventual winner is unlikely to gain the majority required to rule alone, possibly leading to months of political wrangling to form a government as US. forces draw down.
Electoral officials also blame the delays on the mad scramble to put these elections together after lawmakers waited until the very last minute to pass the law needed to carry out the vote.
“The time given to us was very short. So the presence of complaints and problems here and there does not undermine the process,” said electoral commission spokesman Qassim al-Aboudi.
But as the process has drawn out, fraud allegations have increased.
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