The electoral commission looking into charges of voter fraud in Iraq's December 15 elections found on Monday that the majority of votes cast were legitimate, with some 99 percent of ballots considered valid.
Only 227 ballot boxes considered fraudulent were discounted, too small of a number, amongst the total 31,000 nationwide, to have a significant effect on the election's results.
The decision paves the way for the establishment of a new Iraqi government, a move which had been delayed thus far while fraud charges were being investigated.
Iraq's Sunni minority and some secular groups were mainly behind the complaints lodged. A total of 1,985 complaints had reportedly been received, though only 27 were considered legitimate.
Despite the commission's decision, many expect such groups to lodge further complaints in the coming months, according to the AP.
Adel Al Lamy, Iraq's Electoral Commissioner told reporters, "We have annulled 227 ballot boxes which did not comply with international standards; they had been tampered with. But this will have no effect on the results," according to Reuters.
Final results of the count, however, will be released on Friday. Lamy added that following Friday's results, parties would have two days to submit protests.
Sunni groups have already begun to discuss the establishment of coalition government with majority Shiite groups and Kurdish blocs.
A second, international commission is also looking into fraud charges. Its finding are set to be released this Thursday.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
