As Iraq prepares to announce the results of long-awaited parliamentary elections in the Kurdish region, anticipation is building among supporters of the two major parties, after unofficial results suggested they were leading in the polls.

IRBIL, Iraq — Residents of Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region went to the polls in long-awaited parliamentary elections Sunday under the shadow of ongoing rivalries, economic instability and unresolved disputes with Baghdad.

Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region voted on Sunday to elect a new parliament for the oil-rich region, where voters express concern over economic struggles and disenchantment with the political elite.