DEMONSTRATIONS OVER Iran’s disputed presidential election continued in Tehran and other cities yesterday, as the country’s main legislative body agreed to carry out a partial recount but ruled out annulling the vote.
In what has been interpreted as a concession to the growing protest movement led by supporters of defeated candidate Mir Hussein Mousavi, considered president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s main challenger in last Friday’s election, the Guardian Council said it was prepared to carry out a limited recount of the votes in districts where allegations of widespread electoral fraud are strongest.
“It is possible that there may be some changes in the tally after the recount,” said Abbasali Kadkhodai, a spokesman for the 12-man council.
“Based on the law, the demand of those candidates for the cancellation of the vote . . . cannot be considered.”
Mr Mousavi’s supporters say their suspicions are not just confined to Mr Ahmadinejad’s huge margin of victory. They have also raised concerns about the speed with which the votes were initially counted and the fact Mr Ahmadinejad polled a significant lead even in areas considered Mousavi strongholds, including his hometown of Tabriz.
Hundreds of thousands of Mousavi supporters have taken to the streets of Tehran since Saturday to register their anger at what they claim was massive vote-rigging. The protests have frequently become violent, with police using tear gas as they beat back demonstrators.
Pro-government militia members have also clashed with protesters.
Iran’s state media yesterday confirmed that seven people had been killed and several others wounded on Monday following a largely peaceful pro-Mousavi rally held in defiance of a ban imposed by the authorities. State television said the deaths were caused when “thugs” tried to attack a military post in central Tehran. It also reported that the “main agents” responsible for post-election disturbances had been arrested with explosives and guns.
Yesterday evening, there were reports that Mr Mousavi’s supporters had staged another rally in northern Tehran. They had originally planned a demonstration in the same square where pro-Ahmadinejad crowds gathered late yesterday afternoon but Mr Mousavi called for them to stay away to avoid confrontation and “protect lives”.
The Iranian authorities yesterday announced that foreign journalists were banned from covering street protests in Tehran. A group of Iranians living in Ireland is organising a protest at the Iranian embassy in Blackrock, Co Dublin, tomorrow.