Iraq parliamentary elections - in 60 seconds

Votes are being counted following Iraq's parliamentary elections, with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki seeking a third consecutive term in office.

April's vote took place with violence in the country at its highest level since the peak of the sectarian insurgency from 2006 to 2008: Hundreds of people are being killed each month.

Here is the background to the vote - in 60 seconds.

Video produced by Michael Hirst