According to local sources in Iraq, over a thousand protesters marched in central Baghdad on 12 November to protest last month’s parliamentary election results.

In response, government forces tightened security measures around Baghdad’s Green Zone, as the demonstrators settled in outside.

Mobilizations were also reported in the southern city of Al-Basra.

These demonstrations come just one week after security forces opened fire on protesters outside the Green Zone. Following the violence Iraq’s health ministry reported one protester was killed and 125 were injured, however, citizen reports indicate that at least five people were killed and over 200 were injured.

Tensions have been rising in Iraq after last months ballots, which saw a majority of Shia parties lose by a large margin. Following the announcement of the results, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Committee (IHEC) received more than 1,300 appeals, before rejecting most of them due to a “lack of evidence.”

The demonstrators are demanding a manual recount of votes, as they believe that the electronic system led to “fraud” and “manipulation”.

Different political factions have also protested the election results, in particular the Fatah Alliance led by Hadi al-Ameri, as well as Iraqi National Accord party, led by Ayad Allawi.

Friday’s protests also come just six days after a drone attack on the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who walked out unharmed from this alleged assassination attempt.

Experts believe that the assassination attempt has quite suddenly reshuffled the cards to increase his chances of assuming a new term at the head of the prospective government.