Iraqi groups demand international review of parliamentary poll, but UN balks News
Iraqi groups demand international review of parliamentary poll, but UN balks

[JURIST] A coalition of Sunni and secular Shiite political groups said Thursday that they would boycott sessions of the new Iraqi national assembly elected on December 15 [IECI partial uncertified results] unless an independent review of the poll was conducted by an international body such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference or the Arab League. In a joint statement the 35 political entities – including that of former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi [JURIST news archive] – also demanded the disbanding of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq [official website] in the wake of more than 1250 complaints alleging fraud [JURIST report], stuffing of ballot boxes, or voter intimidation. A UN spokesman in New York said the UN would not conduct any review of the Iraqi poll. AP has more.

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