THE STATE of Law coalition led by Iraq’s prime minister Nuri al-Maliki has redoubled pressures on Iraq’s election commission to conduct a manual recount of votes cast in the country’s March 7th parliamentary election.
Al-Maliki aide Ali al-Adib has said the party will not recognise the results due to the “surprising” performance of the opposition Iraqiya bloc led by former premier Iyad Allawi. Near complete returns show Mr Maliki’s sectarian Shia bloc trailing the secular Iraqiya movement of former premier Iyad Allawi in the popular vote, while projections of seat allocations give State of Law 90-92 and Iraqiya 87-93.
The commission responded to earlier threats by Mr al-Maliki’s bloc by rejecting a recount and declaring that the final result will be released. State of Law responded by warning that if the commission does not conduct a full recount, Shia majority provinces in the oil-rich south could form an autonomous region which would distance itself from Baghdad. Although Mr Maliki had opposed a multiprovince Shia region, he gave form to this threat by convening a meeting of southern provincial governors to discuss the autonomy option.
Washington, which empowered sectarian Shias after the 2003 war, had hoped that the election would provide for a peaceful transfer of power followed by the withdrawal of US troops. Instead, the election has precipitated a crisis because ruling Shia parties are unwilling to share power with secular and Sunni politicians.
While the bloc that wins a plurality is meant to form the next government, the narrow margin between the two front runners complicates coalition-building. In a bid to sideline Mr Allawi and reinforce the Shia ascendancy, Mr Maliki has opened discussions on a merger with the Iraqi National Alliance, a rival Shia coalition. But alliance parties do not want Mr Maliki to stay as premier, a condition he requires.
Based on the 95 per cent result, sectarian Shias won 45 per cent of the vote, secularists 29 per cent, and Kurds 24 per cent.
