(Thumbnail image: The New York Times)
Results are slowly coming in on the Iraqi election held more than a week ago. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is currently leading in several provinces--including Baghdad and Basra in southern Iraq.
Reporter: "It’s been chaotic, disorganized by U.S. standards, reporters jostling to read the screens. Mean time, some parties complaining of fraud, others boldly claiming victory, but the election commissioner says Iraqis need to wait for official results.”
Al-Haidari: “We respect all the parties, but we don’t worry about what they say. We do our job.” (FOX NEWS)
According to CNN, the speculations of conspiracy and fraud are a result of the slow and in some cases premature announcement of results.
But CNN also reports international officials are quickly dismissing these allegations.
“The Independent High Electoral Commission and the United Nations are insisting that there are enough checks and balances in place to prevent any sort of fraud or manipulation from taking place, saying that the delay is because of a technical failure with the server and because the entire process is taking a lot longer than expected.”
Peter Beinart, a writer for The Daily Beast, points out there were 90,000 American troops in Iraq this week. He notes President Obama’s current timetable predicts that number will be zero by the next Iraqi election.
“The problem is that this timetable may be a virtual death sentence for Iraqi democracy. Although security has dramatically improved, Iraq’s leaders have resolved barely any of the conflicts that nearly tore the country apart a few years back.”
On CNN's The Situation Room, General Obierno, Current Commanding General in Iraq, responds to Beinart's column.
“I think that’s a little harsh. I think the Iraqi politicians have solved some of the problems. They have definitely not solved all of their problems. Reconciliation between groups takes a long period of time, and I think this election is another step towards reconciliation.”
Writer: Ann Langworthy
Producer: Newsy Staff
