State of Law gains victory in Iraq elections

Former prime minister Nouri-al-Maliki's coalition party State of Law has won maximum of 92 seats of the 328 in the Council of Representatives, with its two main rival parties Ammar al-Hakim's Muwatin and the Ahrar movement acquiring a joint 57 seats.

Maliki has expressed interest of a third-term of governance and premiership but has been welcomed with strong opposition from the other parties, accusing him of sectarianism and the wrong syndication of power.

Facing strong criticism for his candidacy due to the killing of 3,500 people this year, the ex-PM has blamed external factors like the conflict in Syria and the existing biased political deadlock for the violence.

According to the BBC, the election results boost Maliki's chance of new term as prime minister but he is faced with strong opposition from the predominantly Sunni Arab west of Iraq and the Kurdish north.

Mowaffak-al-Rubae, a candidate for State of Law laid emphasis on the stronghold of Maliki's position as prime minister and highlighted his experience as commander-in-chief.

He asserted that due to Syria and regional polarization, security would be important for the next four years.