By Mohammed Hamood Ali Al Ragawi and Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission announced late Monday that the Reconstruction and Development coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has topped the final results of parliamentary elections, securing 46 seats out of the 329-seat legislature.
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the coalition came in first with 46 seats, followed by the Progress party led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, which won 36 seats.
The State of Law coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, secured 29 seats, according to the commission’s figures.
The Shia-led Coordination Framework said later that it has formally designated itself as the largest parliamentary bloc, bringing together all its constituent parties, according to NNA.
It also formed two committees: one to develop a unified national governance vision and another to interview candidates for the prime minister’s post.
The bloc said it will move forward with nominating a prime minister in accordance with constitutional procedures.