Iran votes in tight election
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By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took an unbeatable lead in Iran's election on Saturday, official results showed, but his moderate challenger alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.
The level of the incumbent's support, roughly twice as many votes as former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi with most ballots counted, confounded analyst predictions of a tight race.
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 in its row with the West over its nuclear ambitions.
Listing several complaints before official results were announced, Mousavi said many people had not been able to vote and that there had been a lack of ballot papers.
He also accused the authorities of blocking text messaging, which his campaign has used to reach young, urban voters.
The Islamic Republic's election commission said Ahmadinejad was ahead with 65 percent of the votes from Friday's presidential election in the world's fifth biggest oil exporter after nearly 29 million ballots had been counted.
Mousavi had 32 percent support, said the commission. Based on an Interior Ministry estimate of a maximum 80 percent turnout of Iran's 46 million eligible voters, he could not beat Ahmadinejad with the votes still to be 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. (0330 GMT).
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 claimed victory and made his allegations about irregularities.
"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.
CAMPAIGN MUDSLINGING Continued...
Source: Reuters
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