BAGHDAD, (Reuters) – Iraq’s Supreme Court rejected Monday appeals by Iran-backed Shiite factions to contest the results of a parliamentary elections. This was in defiance of their attempts to reverse the poor performance.

Iran-backed groups including strong armed forces had claimed irregularities in Oct. 10’s ballot.

Shi’ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr was the biggest winner of the electio. This group, which is opposed to U.S. and Iranian influence in Iraq, won 73 seats.

The 14 seats won by pro-Iran groups were compared with 48 for 2018.

Jassim Mohammed, chief judge, stated Monday that any objection to Monday’s decision, no matter what their foundation, was undermining vote’s value, weakening voter confidence and stalling the political process. He declared that the decision was final and binding for all concerned authorities.

After the Supreme Court confirms the results, Kurdish, Sunni, and Shiite groups will begin negotiations to form a new government that would replace Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s outgoing cabinet.

Shiite factions have controlled Iraqi politics ever since 2003’s U.S.-led invasion that overthrew Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein.

Sadr has said he will ally himself with whoever puts Iraq’s national interests, such as providing services for the population, first. According to Western diplomats and Iraqi officials, this is a sign that Sadr may not support Iran-backed parties and instead favor Kurdish or Sunni parties.

Iran is intervening in Iraq https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-seeks-cool-tensions-iraq-2021-12-22 to quell destabilising internal unrest stirred up by Iranian-backed militias, Reuters reported last week. These actions are part of Tehran’s efforts to maintain its influence over the country and navigate tense negotiations with the United States about its nuclear ambitions.