Iraqi election results due on May 19 are expected to put incumbent Nuri al-Maliki ahead in the race to gain a third term as prime minister.
The tallies from the April 30 general election, delayed for weeks due to the high number of complaints filed with the election commission, are likely to show Maliki's State of Law alliance won the most seats in parliament but fell short of a majority.

That would mean Maliki, who hails from Iraq's Shi'ite majority, would require the support of Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties.

But many of these parties have refused to throw their support behind Maliki, who they accuse of consolidating power and being to blame for a protracted wave of violence.

By Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty

 

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