Iraqi PM orders recount in Kirkuk

- Turkmen leader al-Salihi says potential poll rigging led to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's decision

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered on Monday a recount of votes in Kirkuk, amid alleged fraud in parliamentary election, Turkmen politician says.

Arshad al-Salihi, the president of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF), told Anadolu Agency that Abadi had ordered a recount over potential irregularities.

On Saturday, Iraqis voted in the country's first parliamentary elections since 2014.

According to Iraq’s official election commission, some 10.8 million Iraqis -- out of 24 million eligible voters -- took part in the vote, representing a turnout of 44.5 percent.

Final poll results are expected to be announced this week.

By Haydar Hadi in Baghdad

Anadolu Agency

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