Iraq Election: Partial tally report shows support for Shiite candidates
{{date|February 4, 2005}}
[[w:Iraq|Iraq]] &ndash; With more than two-thirds of the 3.3 million votes counted in the [[w:Iraqi legislative election, 2005|Iraqi legislative election]], the [[w:United Iraqi Alliance|United Iraqi Alliance]] has a considerable lead over interim [[w:Iraq|Iraqi]] [[w:List of Prime Ministers of Iraq|Prime Minister]] [[w:Iyad Allawi|Iyad Allawi's]] [[w:Iraqi List|Iraqi List]] which trails with approximately 17% of the current tally.

The election commission ([http://www.ieciraq.org/english.html IECI]) did not have firm figures for how many people voted, but estimates approximately 8 million Iraqis participated in the historic poll. The results so far do not include the northern provinces which are largely [[w:Sunni|Sunni]] and [[w:Kurdish|Kurdish]] strongholds.

The most recent returns were from the [[w:Provinces of Iraq|provinces]] of Babylon, Basra, Karbala, Maysan, Muthanna, Najaf, Qadissiyah, Zi Qar and Wassit, and from Baghdad.

[[w:Jalal Talabani|Jalal Talabani]], leader of the northern Kurdish [[w:Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan|political bloc]], has called to be nominated as the new Prime Minister or President, a proposal which may indicate the suspected deal between the [[w:Shi'a Islam|Shia]] and the Kurds may in fact be in place - a situation sure to inflame the former ruling minority [[w:Sunni Islam|Sunnis]].

Final results are expected to be announced on Tuesday, February 8.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.ieciraq.org/English/news_media_electionDayEnglish.php |title=IECI announces first partial results |author= |pub=IECI |date=February 4, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.boston.com/dailynews/035/world/New_partial_election_returns_s:.shtml
|title=New partial election returns show Shiite ticket rolling up strong lead; Italian journalist kidnapped
|author=Sameer N. Yacoub
|pub=Associated Press
|date=2/4/2005 12:56}}
*{{source|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=277809
|title=Shiite coalition stays ahead in Iraqi election count
|author=
|pub=AFP
|date=FEB 4}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12151306%255E2703,00.html
|title=Shias' big lead fires up rebels
|author=Nicolas Rothwell, Middle East correspondent
|pub=The Australian
|date=February 05, 2005}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ieciraq.org/english.html Independent Electoral Commission Iraq]

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[[Category:Iraq]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Baghdad]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Sunni Islam]]
[[Category:Shia Islam]]
Iraq – With more than two-thirds of the 3.3 million votes counted in the Iraqi legislative election, the United Iraqi Alliance has a considerable lead over interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi List which trails with approximately 17% of the current tally.

The election commission ( IECI) did not have firm figures for how many people voted, but estimates approximately 8 million Iraqis participated in the historic poll. The results so far do not include the northern provinces which are largely Sunni and Kurdish strongholds.

The most recent returns were from the provinces of Babylon, Basra, Karbala, Maysan, Muthanna, Najaf, Qadissiyah, Zi Qar and Wassit, and from Baghdad.

Jalal Talabani, leader of the northern Kurdish political bloc, has called to be nominated as the new Prime Minister or President, a proposal which may indicate the suspected deal between the Shia and the Kurds may in fact be in place - a situation sure to inflame the former ruling minority Sunnis.

Final results are expected to be announced on Tuesday, February 8.
Iraq Elections Baghdad Middle East Sunni Islam Shia Islam