Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's prime minister, has said the burning of a warehouse in Baghdad where ballot boxes from last month's disputed parliamentary elections were kept was part of a plot to sabotage the country's democratic process. BAGHDAD—A fire broke out Sunday in a Baghdad warehouse storing ballot boxes and voting equipment, in what some lawmakers said was an intentional act aimed at thwarting a manual recount of results for an election already dogged by allegations of fraud. It comes as Iraq prepares for a manual recount of around 10 million votes, following allegations of fraud during the May 12 legislative polls. Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan said the fire had started in one of four warehouses containing ballot boxes, documents and equipment belonging to the Independent Higher Electoral Commission, which organized the vote on May 12. The site was divided into four warehouses, said Maj-Gen Saad Maan, and only one — housing electronic equipment and documents — had burned down. The outgoing parliament's decision to mandate into law a full recount of the parliamentary elections last Wednesday also called for the Independent High Elections Commission's leadership to be replaced by nine judges.
A warehouse holding ballot boxes from elections last month burns down in Baghdad. Several politicians say the fire was a criminal act aimed at destabilising the state following a disputed election result.