Iraq Election Results

Ayad Allawi's predominantly Sunni alliance won Iraq's national election, narrowly edging out Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's list to become the largest bloc in the country's next parliament, and kicking off a scrum among political and religious blocs to form a majority government. The Allawi upset threatens to end the lock on power that Iraq's majority Shiites have enjoyed since 2003 after decades of oppression under the Sunni-led government of Saddam Hussein, and could severely test the country's fragile institutions. In the two weeks between the March 7 election and the vote tallies Friday, Shiite politicians warned of violence should their parties lose the election.

-- Wall Street Journal

Nearly three weeks after Iraq's elections, the coalition of former prime minister Ayad Allawi emerged with the most seats in the parliament Friday but fell far short of a majority. The results signaled the start of another protracted phase of uncertainty for this country's fledgling political system. Allawi's coalition won two seats more than that of his fiercest competitor, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Maliki refused to recognize the results and said he would challenge them in court. Even if Maliki's challenges fail, it will probably take several months for a new government to form.

-- Washington Post

The secular party of Ayad Allawi, a former interim prime minister once derided as an American puppet, won a wafer-thin victory in Iraq's election, setting the stage for a protracted period of political uncertainty and possible violence that could threaten plans to withdraw American troops. The outcome, announced Friday, was immediately challenged by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and his supporters in the State of Law coalition, who hurled accusations of fraud and made vague references to the prime minister's power as commander in chief. Several parties have cried fraud as their fortunes waxed or waned in the slow vote count, an ominous reminder of an Iraqi political culture where winning is everything and compromise elusive.

-- New York Times

Allawi's Coalition Wins Most Seats in Iraqi Election - Voice of America

Upset Vote Reshapes Iraq - Wall Street Journal

Allawi's Bloc Wins Most Seats in Parliamentary Elections - Washington Post

Secular Bloc Wins Most Seats in Iraq - Los Angeles Times

Allawi Edges PM Maliki in Iraq Election - Christian Science Monitor

Secular Challenger Allawi Claims Iraq Election Win - Associated Press

Allawi's Victory in Iraq Election Sets Up Period of Uncertainty - New York Times

Recount Call as Allawi Wins Iraq Election - The Times

Allawi Expected to Start Coalition-Building Talks in Iraq - Voice of America

Election Results: Reactions From Around Iraq - New York Times