Iran - 2009 presidential elections

Opposition denied rally permits, watchdog to recount 10 per cent of ballots

Article published on the 2009-06-20 Latest update 2009-06-20 10:37 TU

Riot police drive past Tehran University on 19 June 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Iran has denied permits for opposition rallies anywhere in the country, according to the interior ministry, and the police said it will arrest rally organisers. Iran’s electoral watchdog group, the Guardians Council, said it would recount up to ten per cent of the ballots from the 12 June Presidential election. Two of the three opposition candidates who were to appear at the Council Saturday did not show.

“The dear and alert people are informed that no permission for any rally and gathering anywhere in the country ahs been issued,” said an Interior Ministry statement, debunking rumours that permission had been granted. “Obviously, those who violate this will be confronted according to the law.”

This statement comes a day after the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave a sermon, calling for an end to protests.

The government says that incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the election. The three opposition leaders, including the main challenger Mir Hossein Moussavi, contest the results.

Iran’s electoral watchdog, the Guardians Council, said it was ready to “randomly” recount up to ten per cent of the ballot boxes, according to a spokesman quoted by state television.

The three opposition candidates were to meet with the Guardians Council Saturday to address election irregularities. But Moussavi and Mehdi Karoubi did not show up, according to the Ilna news agency.

Iranian police said Saturday that any rally organiser would be arrested.

“We underline that the police will act with determination against all illegal rallies and protests,” said deputy police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan to state television."

The European Union called on Iran to allow peaceful protests. European leaders at a council meeting in Brussels on Friday urged “the Iranian authorities to ensure that all Iranians are granted the right to assemble and to express themselves peacefully.”

Friday, US President Barack Obama said his country backs those seeking peaceful justice in Iran after the election. Earlier he had said that the US would not meddle in Iran’s affairs.

“I’m very concerned based on some of the tenor – and tone of the statements that have been made – that the government of Iran recognise that the world is watching,” said Obama to CBS News.

The European Union called on Iran to allow peaceful protests. European leaders at a council meeting in Brussels on Friday urged “the Iranian authorities to ensure that all Iranians are granted the right to assemble and to express themselves peacefully.”

The statement also condemned crackdowns on “journalists, media outlets, communications and protesters, which are in contrast to the relatively open and encouraging period in the run up to the election.”