Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's political party declared Sunday its investigation into the March 7 parliamentary election has thrown into question about 750,000 votes. According to the AP, the State of Law alliance trailed by just two seats behind former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's party in the vote. Al-Maliki has demanded an official recount as both sides struggle to cobble together a ruling coalition.
"We estimate the volume of vote manipulation is up to 750,000 votes," Hajim al-Hasani, the spokesman of the State of Law Alliance, said in Baghdad. "This number could change the election results."
According to Al-Hasani, State of Law examined ballots from five of Iraq's 18 provinces — Basra, Baghdad, Qadissiya, Anbar and Ninevah — and that irregularities include unsigned ballots and discrepancies in signatures. He said his party estimates they were cheated out of up to 15 seats.
