Iraq: Fire at ballot depot in Baghdad June 10 /update 8

Event

A fire was reported at a building storing ballot papers from the May 12 parliamentary election in the Rusafa neighborhood of Baghdad on Sunday, June 10. The ballots were saved from the flames and the fire has been extinguished, according to Iraqi authorities. On Monday, June 11, state television reported that an Iraqi court had ordered the arrests of four people - including three police officers and a member of the Independent High Elections Commission (IHEC) - for setting fire to the building. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called the incident a "plot to harm the [Iraqi] nation and its democracy," while influential Shi'a cleric and head of the Sairoun Alliance (which received the most votes in the May 12 parliamentary election) Moqtada al-Sadr has called for national unity in the wake of the fire.

Associated civil unrest, potentially including protests, is expected if the Iraqi government calls for an election rerun following the blaze, especially if in a potential rerun the leading coalitions lose seats to the point of losing such status.

Context

On June 5, Prime Minister Abadi reported that there were "dangerous violations" in the parliamentary elections which took place on May 12, mostly blaming the IHEC. Abadi has consequently banned IHEC members from traveling abroad without his consent. A report issued to the Iraqi government has recommended that authorities initiate a full manual recount and void ballots from overseas and displaced voters.

On May 30, the IHEC announced it would annul the results of 1021 polling places for the May 12 parliamentary vote due to fraud.

On May 24, Iraq's cabinet formed a committee to review any breaches or violations into the elections following reports of possible electronic rigging. Abadi rejected calls to annul the vote results on May 29, criticizing the IHEC's statements and suggesting the possibility of a "civil war" should the results be annulled. According to the election results, the Sairoun Alliance - headed by Moqtada Al-Sadr and comprised of his Progressive Reform party and Iraq's Communist party - won more than 1.3 million votes in the May 12 election, gaining 54 seats in the 329-seat parliament. None of the competing blocs won a majority in parliament nor have the ability to name a prime minister alone.

Advice

Individuals in Iraq are advised to closely monitor the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.