Maliki set for boost from Iraqi elections

The party of Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, appeared set for a boost as initial tallies from Saturday’s provincial elections indicated voters had bought into its law-and-order campaign.

Points to prove: women display their ink-stained fingers after voting in provincial elections in Najaf

The elections for provincial councils were Iraq’s first since 2005 and passed without serious incident in what was seen as a significant step forward for the nation as it attempts to build on recent security gains that have bolstered Mr Maliki’s credibility.