A fire ruined Iraq’s biggest ballot warehouse on Sunday ahead of a vote recount bring out by allegations of fraud during legislative elections that saw a surprise victory for cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
A senior security official said the fire broke out in a warehouse located in Al-Russafa, one of the largest voting districts in eastern Baghdad.
Around 60% of Baghdad’s two million eligible voters had cast their ballots in the May election in Al-Russafa district. A column of black smoke billowed from the warehouse, normally used to store foodstuff, and could be seen across the capital. The cause of the blaze was not clarified.
Iraq prepares for a manual recount of around 10 million votes, due to the following allegations of fraud during the May 12 legislative polls.
The result was contested following allegations of fraud by veteran politicians led by parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi. The recount was ordered by Parliament on Wednesday at all polling stations, although no timetable has been announced.
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