TEHRAN – State media declared president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of Iran’s election early this morning but challenger Mirhossein Mousavi alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.
The state election commission said that Mr Ahmadinejad, a hardline conservative, was ahead with 66 per cent of the vote after 21 million votes had been counted. Mr Mousavi, a moderate, had 31 per cent.
The official news agency IRNA said: “Dr Ahmadinejad, by winning most votes at the 10th presidential election, has secured his victory.”
A bitterly fought campaign has generated intense excitement inside Iran and strong interest around the world, with policymakers looking for signs of a change of approach by Tehran, whose ties with the West worsened under Mr Ahmadinejad.
Mr Mousavi had earlier tried to pre-empt official announcements by calling a news conference at which he alleged there had been irregularities, including a shortage of ballot papers.
“I am the definite winner of this presidential election,” he declared.
It was unclear how his supporters, who thronged the streets of Tehran nightly in the run-up to yesterday’s vote, might react to an Ahmadinejad victory.
Scuffles broke out early today 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 unrest. All gatherings have been banned until the publication of final results, expected this morning.
Analysts had said a victory for Mr Mousavi could ease tensions with the West, which is concerned about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and improve chances of engagement with US president Barack Obama, who has talked about a new start in ties with Tehran.
Mr Mousavi, a former prime minister, said many people had not been able to cast their ballots even after voting was extended by four hours. At his news conference, he listed what he said were problems with the voting process.
“(We) are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities be given,” Mr Mousavi said. “We expect to celebrate with people soon.”
Two other candidates attracted only a tiny share of the vote. Under election rules, 50 per cent of the vote is needed to win outright; otherwise a run-off would be held on June 19th between the two front-runners. – (Reuters)