Iraqi, UN officials say first election results likely to be released on Thursday

First Iraqi vote results likely on Thursday

BAGHDAD — Iraqi and UN officials say the first results from this week’s parliamentary elections will likely be released on Thursday.

Iraqi election officials said they had hoped to have some initial results from Sunday’s vote to release on Wednesday but conceded they could now be delayed until Thursday. Ad Melkert, the top UN official in Iraq, said he expected the first results on Thursday.

Melkert was at the Independent High Electoral Commission to observe Iraqi officials carrying out what he called “an honest process” of counting the vote.