Iraq's Supreme Court has ratified the results of the May 12 parliamentary election, its spokesman said on Sunday, setting in motion a 90-day constitutional deadline for the winning parties to form a government.

"The court has issued a decision to ratify the results of the parliamentary election," the spokesman said in a statement.

A nationwide recount of votes showed on Aug. 10 that populist Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr retained his lead, positioning him to play a central role in forming the country's next government.