Iraqâs former prime minister warned against vote rigging in Thursdayâs parliamentary elections and called on the current government and the electoral commission to âprovide all the necessary conditions in order to ensure the integrityâ of the vote." Iyad Allawi was speaking at a press conference held at the offices of the National List, which he heads. He expressed hope that the elections would lead to "a balanced parliament that will lead to the creation of a strong government that could enforce stability in Iraq.âHe urged his fellow Iraqis to take part in the elections, adding, âAs Iraqis we all have to head for the polls to cast our votes with transparency and integrity, based on our conviction that the results will be in the best interest of Iraq.â
Asked whether an Islamic government will be formed if he lost the elections, Allawi stated that his party, the Iraqi National List had previously announced it âdoes not accept an Islamic government be established in Iraq, meaning that Islam rules over politics.â He added, âWe belong to a national liberal school of thought. We do not believe in an Islamic state in Iraqâ. In case such a situation, âI believe that Iraq would descend into the abyss."