Iraqi police lock down Baghdad ahead of election results

Iraqi security forces are on high alert in Baghdad and four other large provinces to try halt terror attacks ahead of today’s announcement of preliminary election results, police and military said.

An estimated 5,000 soldiers deployed in the capital alone setting up extra checkpoints and conducting patrols ahead of the announcement of the December 15 election results, expected following midday Muslim prayers today.

Other forces will deploy to the Anbar, Mosul, Diyala and Najaf provinces, preventing anyone entering or leaving except for Iraqis returning from performing a Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

“We have closed the entries and exits of these provinces as a security measure to avoid any chaos or sabotage acts during the release of the elections results,” said Maj. Falah al-Mohammedawi of the Interior Ministry.

The lockdowns are expected to continue tomorrow, said army Capt. Jassim al-Wahish.

Officials from the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq have said they would release election results today, but the results will not be finally certified for up to another two weeks.

Preliminary reports indicate an alliance of Shiite Muslim religious parties won the most seats in the 275-member parliament but not enough to govern without coalition partners, including Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

The Shiite alliance dominates the current government.