The Iraqi Prime Minister is calling on the country’s electoral commission to recount the votes from elections earlier this month.

Nuri al-Maliki has given his backing to a call from various political blocs.

His statement came after the electoral commission said that rival ex-prime minister Ayad Allawi’s bloc is slightly ahead with 92 percent of ballots counted.

Maliki says a recount is needed to ensure political stability and avoid a return to violence.

Observers say a recount and delay in the announcement of the final result would threaten the country’s fragile political process.

Whoever is named the winner will have the daunting task of difficult negotiations to try to form a coalition government.

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