Rival camps in Iran's presidential election claimed victory and hurled charges of voter intimidation after a run-off poll between veteran cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Today's unpredictable vote, required after an inconclusive first round on June 17, has exposed deep social divisions in the oil-producing nation of 67 million people.
Political analysts say a win for ultra-conservative Tehran mayor Ahmadinejad, 48, could spell an end to fragile social reforms and harden Iran's foreign policy stance, particularly concerning its nuclear programme.
Rafsanjani, 70, president from 1989 to 1997, has said he wants to improve ties with the West and would prevent “extremism” from monopolising power in the Islamic state.
Although Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all matters of state, analysts say a hardline presidency would remove a moderating influence on decision-making.
“Whoever loses we are going to feel the reverberations,“ said Karim Sadjadpour, Tehran-based analyst for think-tank International Crisis Group. “Either of them are going to inherit a divided nation, both of them are polarising figures.“
Voting was extended by four hours to 11.00 pm to accommodate a late rush of the 47 million eligible voters.
Interior Ministry officials complained of illegal election-day campaigning and the presence of unauthorised officials at polling stations.
“Some people want to spoil the elections,” said ministry spokesman Jahanbaksh Khanjani.