Iran - elections

Ahmadinejad winner after preliminary results

Article published on the 2009-06-13 Latest update 2009-06-13 09:43 TU

An Ahmadinejad supporter celebrates after preliminary results are announced in Tehran on 13 June
(Photo: Reuters)

Results in Iran’s election have so far given incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a clear victory in the country’s poll which took place on Friday. According to the Iranian media, 98 per cent of the ballots have been counted and Ahmadinejad has won 64 per cent of the vote.

Official results are expected shortly, but Ahmadinejad’s main rival, reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi has polled around 32 per cent, according to the Iranian electoral commission.

Turnout has been unprecedented, with Iran’s Guardian Council, who supervise and approve candidates for the election, saying that 82 per cent of the 46.2 million eligible voters took part. There were reports of long queues of voters at polling stations.

Mousavi complained about some voting irregularies, and said there was a shortage of ballot papers. He added that his monitors were unable to access enough polling stations.

Meanwhile, some of his supporters clashed with police outside his office, before they were dispersed by officers with batons.

Mousavi warned his supporters to remain calm and not get involved in confrontations with Ahmadinejad supporters.

The other candidates in the election, Mohsen Rezai, who was a former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, secured 2.07 per cent of the ballot, while Mehdi Karroubi took 0.88 per cent of the vote.