Public row erupts as recount in Iraqi election begins

IRAQI election officials argued publicly with supporters of the prime minister who demanded a halt to a partial recount of votes just as the process got under way, a sign of tensions over the measure that could change the outcome of the closely fought contest.

The recount of 2.5 million votes cast on March 7 in the capital Baghdad was ordered at the request of Shi’ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who narrowly lost to former prime minister Ayad Allawi with heavy Sunni support. It has further delayed the formation of a government, which some fear will lead to an increase in violence in Iraq just as US troops prepare to go home.

Al-Maliki demanded recounts in five provinces and got one in Baghdad, which started yesterday. But about an hour after it began, representatives of the prime minister’s State of Law coalition arrived at the Rasheed Hotel where the recount was in progress and demanded it be halted.

The coalition complained the commission wasn’t conducting the recount properly by not reopening voter records and checking voter signatures against ballots.

State of Law official and oil minister Hussain al-Shahristani also charged that election commission officials had manipulated the votes and demanded they be held accountable.