Iraq's outgoing PM down but not out

His Iraqi List came a distant third with 13.8 percent of the vote set to secure 40 seats in the new national assembly, based on the complex counting system, but his office was optimistic about the future.

"We were hoping for a better score but we have to accept the democratic choice of the people," said aide Imad Shabib.

"We can still be considered probably the largest single party in parliament because the Shia list was a coalition of many parties," he said, referring to the winning list backed by Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

Electoral officials cautioned that the results would only become definitive in three days time, provided no political entities challenge the outcome.

Allawi's supporters say he still has a slim chance of retaining the top post as a compromise candidate.