Cleric Sadr wins Iraq vote, former PM Maliki close behind -officials

Officials work at a polling station during the parliamentary election, in Baghdad, Iraq, October 10, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's party was the biggest winner in an Iraqi election on Monday, increasing the number of seats he holds in parliament, according to initial results, officials and a spokesperson for the Sadrist Movement.

Former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki looked set to have the next largest win among Shi'ite parties, initial results showed.