Sunni bloc calls Iraq vote fraudulent, seeks re-run

“The ball is now in the court of the IECI.” Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of a Sunni umbrella group which stood with Hashemi’s party in the election under the name Iraqi Accordance Front, said: “We demand a re-run of the election in Baghdad.”

The results issued by the IECI on Monday showed the Shi’ite Islamist Alliance which forms the backbone of the current government had taken 59 per cent of the vote in the capital—more than many thought likely in a city where Sunni Arab and secular parties had been expected to do well.

Hashemi and Dulaimi’s Accordance Front came a distant second with 19 percent while the broad secular coalition headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shi’ite who had high hopes in Baghdad, got just 14 per cent.

The city and its surrounding province is the key contest in the election as it will account for 59 seats of 230 allocated directly to provinces in the new 275-seat parliament—more than three times compared to any other region. A further 45 seats are allocated on a national basis after the initial count.

The IECI results for Baghdad were based on a count of 89 per cent of the vote. Definitive results are not expected until the end of the month. Similarly partial results for other provinces are expected later on Tuesday.

Sunni Arabs came out in force during this election after boycotting the last vote in January. Iraq’s US backers say they would like to see an inclusive government which can represent the interests of all Iraq’s sects and ethnic groups.