Ahmadinejad on track for re-election

Iran votes in tight election
Play Video
By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was on track for re-election in Iran's presidential vote, official figures showed on Saturday, but his moderate challenger alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.
State media declared Ahmadinejad, whose first term saw a sharp deterioration in Iran's relations with the West, the winner against pro-reform rival Mirhossein Mousavi.
The election commission said Ahmadinejad was ahead with about two-thirds of the votes from Friday's election in the world's fifth biggest oil exporter after nearly 26 million ballots had been counted, out of 46 million eligible voters.
Mousavi, a former prime minister, had 31.4 percent of the votes, said the commission, a part of the Interior Ministry. It said 73 percent of all ballot boxes had now been counted.
The official news agency IRNA said: "Dr Ahmadinejad, by winning most votes ... has secured his victory." It said final results would be announced at 8 a.m. (11:30 p.m. EDT).
A bitterly fought campaign generated intense excitement inside Iran and strong interest around the world, with policymakers looking for signs of a change in Tehran's approach.
Speaking in Washington before early results were announced, U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration was excited about the debate taking place in Iran and he hoped it would help the two countries to engage "in new ways."
Analysts had said a victory for Mousavi could help ease tensions with the West, which is concerned about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, and improve chances of engagement with Obama, who has talked about a new start in ties with Tehran.
Mousavi had tried to pre-empt official announcements by calling a news conference at which he alleged there had been irregularities, including a shortage of ballot papers.
"I am the definite winner of this presidential election," he said.
It was unclear how his supporters, who thronged the streets of Tehran nightly in the run-up to Friday's vote, might react to an Ahmadinejad victory. U.S. strategic intelligence group Stratfor called the situation "potentially explosive," with a considerable risk of unrest.
Scuffles broke out early on Saturday between police and chanting Mousavi supporters in a Tehran square, a Reuters witness said. Police say they have increased security across the capital to prevent any trouble. All gatherings have been banned until the publication of final results.
BALLOT "IRREGULARITIES"
Mousavi said many people had not been able to vote even after polling was extended by four hours. He listed what he said were problems with the voting process.
"(We) are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities be given," he said. "We expect to celebrate with people soon." Continued...
Source: Reuters