Iraq’s PUK challenges assembly decision to annul votes

By Muayad al-Tarfi

BAGHDAD (AA) - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) MPs in Kirkuk plan to lodge an appeal with Iraq’s Federal Court against a parliamentary decision to annul some of the ballots cast during May 12 parliamentary polls.

“Parliament’s decision to annul some poll results is unconstitutional and bypasses the appropriate judicial authorities,” Rebwar Taha, a PUK deputy from Kirkuk, told reporters on Wednesday.

“We therefore plan to lodge an appeal with Iraq’s Federal Court against the decision,” he added.

Taha urged Iraqi President Fuad Masum to intervene in the issue with a view to “safeguarding the constitution”.

On Monday, parliament abruptly decided to annul all votes cast overseas and ordered a recount of 10 percent of all votes cast in the election.

Votes cast in displacement camps in the Anbar, Saladin and Diyala provinces were also reportedly canceled.

Iraq’s May 12 election was the country’s first parliamentary poll since 2014.

According to official results, Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon coalition won 54 parliamentary seats, followed by a Hashd al-Shaabi-linked coalition (47 seats) and Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi's Victory Bloc (42 seats).

The Erbil-based Kurdistan Democratic Party picked up 25 seats in the assembly, while the Sulaymaniyah-based PUK clinched 19 seats.

Final results were announced a full week after polling was conducted on May 12. Unofficial results were announced days earlier, but widespread fraud allegations reportedly delayed a final vote count.