Iraq electoral commission says it will release full election results despite calls for delay
By APFriday, March 26, 2010
Iraq to release full results from March 7 vote
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s electoral commission says it will announce full election results as scheduled despite calls for a delay amid fears of violence over the tight race.
Commission spokesman Mohammed al-Amjad says the results and parliamentary seat allocations will be released Friday evening as planned.
Earlier results, based on 95 percent of ballots counted, show Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s mainly Shiite bloc in a tight race with former prime minister Ayad Allawi’s coalition, which is popular with Sunnis.
That has led to calls for a recount. Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani requested a delay because of security concerns but the demand was dismissed.
The allocation of parliament’s 325 seats is based on votes counted in each of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
