Iraq to tackle vast vote recount amid claims of extensive fraud
As the Iraqi Cabinet and parliament investigate allegations of widespread fraud in the recent election, the winning parties await the potential fallout, worried about losing parliament seats.
Just hours after Iraq's parliament called June 6 for a partial recount of votes from the May election — where the bloc of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won a plurality — a massive explosion rocked the section of Baghdad that bears his family's name, Sadr City. At least 18 people were reported killed and dozens were wounded.
Some initial reports said the explosion was the result of a truck bomb, but Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi later said a weapons cache stored in a mosque by "unauthorized parties" had detonated. The cause is still being investigated.
