Iraqi PM Leads in Partial Election Results

Iraq's former premier Ayad Allawi, who heads the Iraqi National Bloc, has asked for the lift of a ban on over 500 election candidates affiliated to the political party of former dictator Saddam Hussein amidst heightened sectarian tension in the country ah (Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki leads in 7 out of 18 provinces in the partial elections results released in Sunday, giving him good prospects to retain his post. However, he is not likely to win a majority of votes, which would allow his party to rule alone.

Maliki’s State of Law bloc strengthened its lead over Iraqiya, the secular alliance led by Iyad Allawi, who leads in five provinces so far.

Maliki is also winning in the capital of Baghdad, which has 70 out of 325 seats in the national Parliament, as well as in oil-rich Basra Province. Official results are expected to be released in the second half of March.