AFP - Iraq boosted security in the former Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar on Thursday after allegations of vote fraud raised fears of violence ahead of the release of election results.
   
Results from Saturday's provincial vote held are due to be announced on Thursday but allegations that the poll was rigged in Sunni Arab-dominated areas of the country has prompted the army to take action to guard against unrest.
   
"The police and the army are in Anbar implementing security measures throughout the province ahead of the announcement of the election results," a senior Iraqi army officer told AFP, requesting he not be named.
   
The accusations in Anbar, once the hotbed of a fierce anti-US insurgency, were serious enough that Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Rafaa al-Issawi called for a recount on Wednesday.
   
"We demand a recount of the votes and to bring to justice the people who committed fraud," Issawi said in the provincial capital of Ramadi after meeting Sunni tribal leaders.
   
Tribal leaders and smaller Sunni parties have levelled the accusations against the rival Sunni faction the Iraqi Islamic Party, which has claimed victory in Anbar.
   
Sunni tribal leader Sheikh Ahmed Abbu said that ballots had been returned from Baghdad to Ramadi, strongly indicating that a recount would take place.
   
The claims triggered immediate accusations of fraud and warnings of violence by tribesmen many of whom are leaders of the Sahwa, or Awakening, militias which have helped the US military battle Al-Qaeda in the province.
   
The stakes are particularly high in Anbar where a greater majority of Sunni parties did not participate in the 2005 election and many have high hopes of winning seats this time round.
   
At Wednesday's meeting, participants agreed to ban the use of weapons to prevent the possibility of disputes spiralling into violence, but security forces were taking no chances.