The first preliminary results have been announced in Iraq for Sunday's parliamentary elections in six of the 18 provinces.

In two provinces in northern Iraq, the Kurdistania alliance made up of two Kurdish parties leads the poll. the alliance is made up of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of Iraqi President Jalal  Talabani.

In two provinces in central Iraq, former prime minister Iyad Allawi's Shiite party Iraqiya is in the lead.

In two southern provinces, current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law Alliance party is ahead.
 

Both Mr al-Maliki and his rival Mr Allawi are in the running for the job of prime minister.

Mr Allawi complained about huge election fraud after the announcement of the initial results.

At a press conference, members of his party reported dozens of irregularities, including the dumping of votes in the rubbish.

The count is expected to be finally completed in mid-March.