Middle East

Baghdad Warehouse Storing Ballot Boxes From May Election Catches Fire

Iraq's prime minister said the fire is part of a plot to hurt the country's democratic process.

Baghdad Warehouse Storing Ballot Boxes From May Election Catches Fire
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A warehouse in Baghdad that stored ballot boxes from Iraq's parliamentary election last month caught fire on Sunday. And the country's prime minister says it's part of a plot to hurt Iraq's democratic process. 

This comes ahead of a planned recount amid allegations the electronic voting system was manipulated. It's unclear how the fire started or what the extent of the damage was. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said: "We will take all necessary measures and strike with an iron fist all who undermine the security of the nation and its citizens." 

There are some conflicting reports about whether the fire actually burned any of the ballots. A province council member said all the ballot boxes and papers had burned, but an interior ministry spokesperson said most of the ballot boxes and papers were saved.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.