BAGHDAD — The preliminary results of Iraq's early parliamentary elections showed that up to 97 women won seats in the upcoming parliament.

According to the Iraqi constitution, women are guaranteed no less than 25 percent of the 329 seats in parliament to ensure women's representation in all decision-making bodies.

"The success of women in reaching the new parliament is a natural result of the efforts of those women who showed courage and determination to participate actively, and their experience today is a victory for Iraqi women and a source of pride for all," Yusra Mohsin, head of the Empowering Women Office at the General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers, said in a statement.

According to an analysis of the preliminary results, there are 14 seats more than the set quota (83 seats) for women, including winners for minorities, Mohsin was quoted as saying.

"The real message of the women winners is not only to join the parliament, but to participate in various stages of the political process and decision-making, in addition to struggling for women's rights," the statement read.

On Monday, the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the preliminary results of early parliamentary elections, with the Sadrist Movement led by the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the lead with more than 70 seats, according to local media counts.

Furthermore, the political alliance known as Taqaddum, or Progress, headed by the outgoing parliament speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi, won about 40 seats in Baghdad and other Sunni provinces.

The Iraqi parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held in advance in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.

In Sunday's polls, 3,249 candidates competed individually and within 167 parties and coalitions to win 329 seats in the upcoming parliament. — Agencies