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Ruling Party Finishes First in Iraqi Kurdistan Election

by Reuters

   IRBIL, IRAQ --

   The ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) came first in a
   parliamentary election in the semiautonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq,
   winning 45 seats, the election commission said on Sunday.

   Its historic rival and junior coalition partner in government, the
   Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was in second place with 21 seats,
   the Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission said in a news
   conference.

   The election took place on Sept. 30 but results were delayed due to the
   commission receiving and investigating over 1,000 complaints of
   electoral violations.