"Even if [Haider al-Abadi’s list] won … its seats may not surpass 55 to 60, so they should go for an alliance with the other sides,” said Hoshyar Zebari, a KDP politburo member and a former Iraqi minister.
The veteran politician predicted forming a government will not be an easy task because the frontrunners are expected to be so close in seats.
The formation of the new government shouldn't be expected until after the Ramadan and Eid holidays, according to Zebari.
Washington and London were quick to congratulate Iraq on holding its first election after the declaration of the defeat of ISIS. The support US, the UK and Europe showed was for the election process, not for the structure of the next Iraqi government, according to Zebari.
Media close to former Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki claimed his State of Law Coalition was taking the lead early on Sunday.
Later on Sunday morning, Reuters, citing an unnamed election body and an unnamed security source, reported incumbent PM Haider al-Abadi's Nasr (Victory) Coalition was ahead of Maliki's list and Moqtada al-Sadr's Sa'irun Alliance, which is in coalition with the Iraqi Communist Party.
Ayad Allawi, a former Iraqi Prime Minister, called for an annulment of Saturday's election.
“The refrainment of Iraqi people from voting in large numbers, the spread of violence, rigging, misinformation, purchase of votes, and exploitation of the conditions of the displaced," read an Al Wataniya Coalition statement, as reported by BBC on Sunday.
Sunni politician Salaim al-Jabouri, the incumbent parliament speaker, is on Allawi's list.
“The results have not yet been announced officially, they will be released in 24 hours...” Zebari reiterated.
Zebari said he believes that KDP received the most votes in Erbil and Duhok, and the most among Kurdish parties in Nineveh province.
“[We] wish success for all the other parties,” Zebari said.
The KDP didn’t run candidates in Kirkuk deeming it “occupied” after Iraqi forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitaries took control of the disputed city in October 2017.
Zebari voiced concern over alleged fraud in the electronic counting of votes in Sulaimani and said a probe into the matter will be launched by the election commission.
Gorran claimed their main headquarters in Sulaimani came under heavy-weapon attacks last night by PUK forces, allegations denied by the PUK.
“This incident was heartbreaking and not nice for the reputation of Kurds in general,” Zebari said.
Voter turnout across Iraq's 18 provinces was at 44.52 percent.
Zebari said following the announcement of the final results, the KDP will work to “put the Kurdish house in order” and get the Kurdish parties united in Baghdad.
Relevant: Rudaw's reports the latest unofficial election results
Last updated at 3:52 p.m.
