BAGHDAD: A fireplace ripped thru Iraq's greatest ballot warehouse lately the place votes for the japanese Baghdad district were saved, prior to a recount ordered by way of parliament, a security respectable said.
The cause of the blaze was not straight away identified nevertheless it comes as Iraq prepares for a handbook recount of around 10 million votes following allegations of fraud all over the May 12 legislative election that noticed a marvel victory for populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.
The senior safety respectable, chatting with AFP on condition of anonymity, said the fireplace broke out in a warehouse located in Al-Russafa, one of the most greatest vote casting districts in japanese Baghdad.
Around 60 % of Baghdad's two million eligible voters had forged their ballots in the May election in Al-Russafa district.
A column of black smoke billowed from the warehouse and might be seen around the capital.
Two hours after the blaze erupted firefighters backed by way of 10 vehicles were still suffering to put out the fireplace, an AFP reporter said.
"The room where voting machines and other election equipment were stored was destroyed by the fire," Imed Jamil, an election commission respectable for Al-Russafa told AFP.
"The ballot boxes were stored in another room," he said, including that the fireplace would not impact the recount.
Interior ministry spokesman General Saad Maan visited the scene and told reporters that "most of the ballot boxes were stored in another building and have been preserved".
On Wednesday Iraq's parliament ordered a handbook recount at all polling stations - even supposing no timetable has been introduced - and sacked the commission which oversaw the polls.
The election was gained by way of Sadr's electoral alliance with communists, with long-time political figures driven out by way of Iraqi voters who were hoping for trade.
But the result was contested following allegations of fraud particularly by way of the veteran politicians, together with parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi.
According to intelligence services and products, exams of electronic vote casting machines - used for the primary time in Iraqi elections - produced numerous effects, appearing to present credence to the fraud claims.
The cause of the blaze was not straight away identified nevertheless it comes as Iraq prepares for a handbook recount of around 10 million votes following allegations of fraud all over the May 12 legislative election that noticed a marvel victory for populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.
The senior safety respectable, chatting with AFP on condition of anonymity, said the fireplace broke out in a warehouse located in Al-Russafa, one of the most greatest vote casting districts in japanese Baghdad.
Around 60 % of Baghdad's two million eligible voters had forged their ballots in the May election in Al-Russafa district.
A column of black smoke billowed from the warehouse and might be seen around the capital.
Two hours after the blaze erupted firefighters backed by way of 10 vehicles were still suffering to put out the fireplace, an AFP reporter said.
"The room where voting machines and other election equipment were stored was destroyed by the fire," Imed Jamil, an election commission respectable for Al-Russafa told AFP.
"The ballot boxes were stored in another room," he said, including that the fireplace would not impact the recount.
Interior ministry spokesman General Saad Maan visited the scene and told reporters that "most of the ballot boxes were stored in another building and have been preserved".
On Wednesday Iraq's parliament ordered a handbook recount at all polling stations - even supposing no timetable has been introduced - and sacked the commission which oversaw the polls.
The election was gained by way of Sadr's electoral alliance with communists, with long-time political figures driven out by way of Iraqi voters who were hoping for trade.
But the result was contested following allegations of fraud particularly by way of the veteran politicians, together with parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi.
According to intelligence services and products, exams of electronic vote casting machines - used for the primary time in Iraqi elections - produced numerous effects, appearing to present credence to the fraud claims.
Fire hits Iraq's biggest ballot warehouse before recount: Security official
![Fire hits Iraq's biggest ballot warehouse before recount: Security official]()
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June 12, 2018
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