Recount Declared in Iraq after PM Complains

A member of Iraq's election commission says votes cast in Baghdad in the country's March 7 parliamentary election will be recounted after a complaint by the incumbent prime minister.

Hamdia al-Hussaini of the Independent High Electoral Commission says the recount was ordered by a three-member panel that investigates election-related complaints.

It comes after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition alleged fraud in the historic vote. A recount would be a significant boost for al-Maliki, who is battling with a secular challenger, Ayad Allawi, to hold onto his office.

Al-Maliki's bloc had requested a recount of five provinces, including Baghdad, which accounts for almost a fifth of the parliament's 325 seats.