Sadrists' choice between Allawi and Maliki: None of the above

The members of the Sadrist bloc voted for former Interim Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in a referendum.

The Sadrist bloc of 40 parliamentary seats could have swung the decision for either Iyad Allawi or Nouri Maliki who lead the two biggest political blocs.

The decision means government-forming negotiations have become more complex.

It may take months, and not weeks, for the parties to form the coalitions necessary to get enough seats to form a governing majority.