TEHRAN - During the past few weeks of the presidential campaign, the level of passion and enthusiasm shown by the voters reached an unprecedented level. Supporters of various camps gathered in the main squares and intersections of the capital and stayed way past midnight, honking their horns and chanting slogans supporting their candidates. The campaigning officially stops at eight o'clock this morning. Now, voters will have to make their final decision by Friday. The director of the Election Campaign Headquarters, Kamran Daneshjou, declared that there will be 45,713 voting centers open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all over the country. Outside the country, 304 polling stations will be set up for voters. Thirty-two polling stations are being set up in the United States while the rest are being dispersed in 130 countries.
TEHRAN - During the past few weeks of the presidential campaign, the level of passion and enthusiasm shown by the voters reached an unprecedented level. Supporters of various camps gathered in the main squares and intersections of the capital and stayed way past midnight, honking their horns and chanting slogans supporting their candidates.
The campaigning officially stops at eight o'clock this morning. Now, voters will have to make their final decision by Friday. The director of the Election Campaign Headquarters, Kamran Daneshjou, declared that there will be 45,713 voting centers open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all over the country. Outside the country, 304 polling stations will be set up for voters. Thirty-two polling stations are being set up in the United States while the rest are being dispersed in 130 countries.
There has been a huge turnout for Iran's closely-fought election as incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seeks a second term in office."Voter turnout has been unprecedented," election commission chief Kamran Daneshjoo said, as long queues were reported at polling stations. Polling has been extended by three hours to 2100 local time (1630 GMT). Mr Ahmadinejad faces a strong challenge from former PM Mir Hossein Mousavi in a campaign dominated by the economy.
There has been a huge turnout for Iran's closely-fought election as incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seeks a second term in office.
"Voter turnout has been unprecedented," election commission chief Kamran Daneshjoo said, as long queues were reported at polling stations.
Polling has been extended by three hours to 2100 local time (1630 GMT).
Mr Ahmadinejad faces a strong challenge from former PM Mir Hossein Mousavi in a campaign dominated by the economy.
The West has no right to expect the polls to bring in radical changeAll the world wants to know the results of today's presidential election in Iran, not least the Republican Guard supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But will it make a difference, either to the Iranians or to the rest of the world? Of course the West wants to be told that this dramatic poll will change Iran's desire for nuclear facilities. Whatever it is, this election is not about nuclear power. It may be about presidential arrogance and stupidity and fear, or about responsible government or unemployment or the economy. But the West should abandon hope of any real change in Iran's nuclear strategy. Mirhossein Mousavi may talk more sense to the Americans - if he wins - but the nuclear facilities will keep functioning. It is all a matter of pride in Iran - where pride is a special quality.And the thick, dark skin of clerical rule that covers Iran will remain, scratched occasionally perhaps, but unable to bleed or to re-imagine history or to reform a nation which so badly needs the change that only Mousavi, among the candidates, dreams of. Government for and by the dead - symbolised in the continued "supreme leader" ethos that old Ayatollah Khomeini constructed before his death, has effectively sealed off Iran from those human rights which obsess the West.
All the world wants to know the results of today's presidential election in Iran, not least the Republican Guard supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But will it make a difference, either to the Iranians or to the rest of the world?
Of course the West wants to be told that this dramatic poll will change Iran's desire for nuclear facilities. Whatever it is, this election is not about nuclear power. It may be about presidential arrogance and stupidity and fear, or about responsible government or unemployment or the economy. But the West should abandon hope of any real change in Iran's nuclear strategy. Mirhossein Mousavi may talk more sense to the Americans - if he wins - but the nuclear facilities will keep functioning. It is all a matter of pride in Iran - where pride is a special quality.
And the thick, dark skin of clerical rule that covers Iran will remain, scratched occasionally perhaps, but unable to bleed or to re-imagine history or to reform a nation which so badly needs the change that only Mousavi, among the candidates, dreams of. Government for and by the dead - symbolised in the continued "supreme leader" ethos that old Ayatollah Khomeini constructed before his death, has effectively sealed off Iran from those human rights which obsess the West.
Today Iran has the first round of presidential election. If none of the four candidates reaches 50% of the votes another round with the top two candidates will be held on June 19. The Guardian headlines Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces defeat if election not rigged, say Iranian experts. That is, of course total nonsense. There are no reliable polls available. Despite the plural in the headline the Guardian only asked one expert, Saeed Lelyaz, who is an economist and certainly not political neutral. That "expert" saying something is just the usual shaping of expectations. Few if any "experts" predicted Ahmadinejad's huge win in the last election. The "west" is hoping for "change" in Iran. Not much change will come whoever gets elected.....All in all, nothing can be predicted for the 10th presidential election. However, we'll see how it turned out early Sunday morning.
Today Iran has the first round of presidential election. If none of the four candidates reaches 50% of the votes another round with the top two candidates will be held on June 19.
The Guardian headlines Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces defeat if election not rigged, say Iranian experts. That is, of course total nonsense.
There are no reliable polls available. Despite the plural in the headline the Guardian only asked one expert, Saeed Lelyaz, who is an economist and certainly not political neutral. That "expert" saying something is just the usual shaping of expectations. Few if any "experts" predicted Ahmadinejad's huge win in the last election.
The "west" is hoping for "change" in Iran. Not much change will come whoever gets elected.
....
All in all, nothing can be predicted for the 10th presidential election. However, we'll see how it turned out early Sunday morning.
Iranians go to the polls on Friday to choose between the hardline President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and his nearest rival Mir Hossein Mousavi. German commentators warn, however, that even if the more moderate candidate prevails the real power lies with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. It has been a hotly contested election campaign that electrified voters and looks set to lead to record turnout. Iranians head to the polls on Friday to elect their president and while there are four official candidates it has essentially become a two-horse race between the hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and the more moderate conservative Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Iranians go to the polls on Friday to choose between the hardline President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and his nearest rival Mir Hossein Mousavi. German commentators warn, however, that even if the more moderate candidate prevails the real power lies with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
It has been a hotly contested election campaign that electrified voters and looks set to lead to record turnout. Iranians head to the polls on Friday to elect their president and while there are four official candidates it has essentially become a two-horse race between the hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and the more moderate conservative Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Mir Hossein Mousavi, the leading reformist candidate in Iran's presidential election, speaks to Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview. He details his views on issues such as nuclear technology, Israel and the role of the religious police to Teymoor Nabili.
Mir Hossein Mousavi, the leading reformist candidate in Iran's presidential election, speaks to Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview.
He details his views on issues such as nuclear technology, Israel and the role of the religious police to Teymoor Nabili.
The news-situation is not yet clear and it is difficult for now to assert what the real results of the Iranian election are. All sides agree that the turnout was pretty high. The official results claim Amadinejad has 65% of the votes while, immediately after the voting closed, Mousavi's side claimed 54% for itself. Obviously that does not add up and "western" sources suggest fraud by Ahmadinejad. I am not so sure. The numerical difference seems too high for simple fraud. In the last election Ahmadinejad also won with some 60+% against the very rich and corrupt Rafsanshani but the turnout then was low and Mousavi is perceived to not be corrupt. But two days ago Rafsanshani wrote an open letter against Ahmadinejad and that may well have been bad for Mousavi. We should not forget that the elections in Iran are pretty much class based with the poor, rural and conservative on Ahmadinejad's side and the middle class, more liberal, affluent city folks - in population numbers still a minority - on the 'reformer' side. While the big demonstrations for Mousavi during the campaign were emphasized in the "western" media, the even bigger demonstrations for Ahmadinejad were less reported on. Some news excerpts:
The news-situation is not yet clear and it is difficult for now to assert what the real results of the Iranian election are. All sides agree that the turnout was pretty high.
The official results claim Amadinejad has 65% of the votes while, immediately after the voting closed, Mousavi's side claimed 54% for itself. Obviously that does not add up and "western" sources suggest fraud by Ahmadinejad. I am not so sure. The numerical difference seems too high for simple fraud.
In the last election Ahmadinejad also won with some 60+% against the very rich and corrupt Rafsanshani but the turnout then was low and Mousavi is perceived to not be corrupt. But two days ago Rafsanshani wrote an open letter against Ahmadinejad and that may well have been bad for Mousavi.
We should not forget that the elections in Iran are pretty much class based with the poor, rural and conservative on Ahmadinejad's side and the middle class, more liberal, affluent city folks - in population numbers still a minority - on the 'reformer' side. While the big demonstrations for Mousavi during the campaign were emphasized in the "western" media, the even bigger demonstrations for Ahmadinejad were less reported on. Some news excerpts:
