Iraqi VP's Coalition claims 'foreign country' supported Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s electoral fraud

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The al-Wataniya Coalition, headed by Iraqi Vice-President Ayad Allawi, has accused Iranian-backed Shia militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq of electoral fraud, calling Iraq’s three presidencies to ensure justice.

During a press conference on Saturday, Jawad al-Bulani, a Member of Parliament affiliated with al-Wataniya, said some sides had attempted “to silence the people’s dignity” by using threatening language and weapons.

According to Bulani, these same groups have pressured the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to keep the results of the elections as they are despite complaints from many parties of fraud.

The MP accused Asaib Ahl al-Haq of committing “fraud in the elections through a foreign technical staff based near Baghdad’s Green [International] Zone.”

He also called on the three leading authorities in Baghdad (the cabinet, parliament, and president) “to ensure justice.”

Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s al-Sadiqun list, which participated in the May 12 parliamentary elections within the Hashd al-Shaabi’s al-Fatih Coalition, has won 13 out of the coalition’s 47 seats.

Responding to Bulani’s claims, al-Sadiqun vowed to take legal action, affirming that they would not remain silent over the MP’s accusations.

“[Al-Sadiqun] will study all legal procedures that will allow us to respond to the accusations,” the coalition said in a statement.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany