Al-Maliki holds lead in early results

Vote counting is continuing in Baghdad and across Iraq. Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki holds a wide lead, after early results.

In Baghdad's al Rusafa counting center, staff from the Independent High Electoral Commission have been busy counting and checking votes. They are hoping to complete the process in the next two days.

Al-Maliki is ahead so far, with preliminary results having emerged over the last week. Importantly, his coalition is ahead in the capital, as well as Karbala, a Shi'ite province in the south. Both are highly significant towards determining the overall count.

Iraqi's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki casts his vote inside a polling station at the green zone in Baghdad March 7, 2010. REUTERS/Iraqi Government