PM Abadi appears ahead in Iraq election

Prime Minister Haider al-abadi’s list appeared to be leading in Iraq’s parliamentary election, followed by influential Shia cleric Moqtada al-sadr’s alliance, an election commission source and a security official told Reuters on Sunday. The sources cited unofficial initial results. Iraqis voted on Saturday in the first election since the defeat of the Daesh terror group inside the country. Final results are expected on Monday.

Turnout was 44.52 percent with 92 percent of votes counted, the Independent High Electoral Commission said – significantly lower than in previous elections. Results are due to be officially announced on Monday.

Abadi was mainly concerned with fending off Shia Muslim groups other than Sadr’s alliance. Those rivals were his predecessor as prime minister, Nuri al-maliki, and the leader of the main Shia paramilitary group, Hadi al-amiri

Unofficial results compiled by Reuters reporters in southern provinces also indicated that Sadr appeared to be making a strong showing.

If the Sadr list finished second, that would mark a surprise comeback by the cleric. Sadr has a zealous following among the young, poor and dispossessed but has been sidelined by figures such as Amiri.

Sadr has formed an unlikely alliance with communists and other independent secular supporters who joined protests he organized in 2016 to press the government to see through a move to stem corruption.

He derives much of his authority from his family. Sadr’s father, highly respected Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq alsadr, was murdered in 1999 for defying Saddam Hussein. His father’s cousin, Mohammed Baqir, was killed by Saddam in 1980.

Abadi, a British-educated engineer, was seen by some Iraqis as lacking charisma. But the defeat of Daesh and Abadi’s campaign to eradicate Iraq’s rampant corruption improved his standing.

Even if Abadi’s Victory Alliance wins the most seats, he still must negotiate a coalition government, which must be formed within 90 days of the election.

Amiri’s Badr organization played a key role in the battle against Daesh. The dissident-turned-militia leader spent more than two decades fighting Saddam Hussein from exile.

His list is expected to come in third place, according to the election commission source and security official.