Iran today extended polling by another two hours to 11 p.m. (5.30 p.m. Irish time) to allow voters to cast their ballots in a presidential election, state radio said.
It said the decision was due to the long queues at polling stations across the country. The polls were originally due to close at 7 p.m. (1.30 p.m. Irish time), but voting was earlier extended to 9 p.m. (3.30 p.m. Irish time).
Witnesses said there were queues outside many Tehran polling stations, with some of those in line saying they had been waiting for more than an hour.
Reformist President Mohammad Khatami looked set to score a resounding win over nine conservative rivals. But he needed both a large majority and turnout to help him overcome resistance to his reforms from conservatives in key state positions.