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Iran Election Results 2009: Ahmadinejad, Mousavi Claim Victory
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by Tina Kells | June 12, 2009 at 09:48 am
8727 views | 48 Recommendations | 26 comments
UPDATE | 23:49 GMT — State media in Iran have declared that current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won re-election in Iran, according to WikiNews reports.
With more than 21 million votes counted, Iran's election officials reported that Ahmadinejad had received 66% of the vote. At last count, Mousavi had received just 31%.
Mr. Mousavi, however, has refused to concede defeat, citing claims that "there had been a shortage of ballot papers and millions of people had been denied the right to vote".
Allegations of fraud have plagued Iran's elections and definitive results from Friday's presidential elections are not likely to emerge until Saturday.
State media declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of Iran's election but challenger Mirhossein Mousavi alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.
The state election commission said early Saturday that Ahmadinejad, a hardline conservative, was ahead with 66 percent of the votes in Friday's election after 21 million ballots were counted.
Ahmadinejad's main challenger, moderate former prime minister Mirhossein Mousavi, had 31 percent, according to the commission, which is part of the Interior Ministry. It said 61 percent of all ballot boxes had now been counted.
The Iranian Presidential Election 2009 is a highly contested race that marks the 10th open presidential election in the country's history.
Voting in Friday's presidential election was extended by 4 hours to 10:00pm local time because of a large turnout, estimated at over 70% of eligible voters.
After polls closed, supporters of both Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi claimed victory.
There were four candidates hoping to win the confidence of the voters; incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, former Speaker of the Majlis Mehdi Karroubi, and former Commander of Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei.
In fact, it may be something less than that, since all three challengers to Ahmadinejad, including Mousavi, are establishment figures. Yet there's no denying the political and social movement that is building against the president, mostly around Mousavi's brilliant campaign. And the contempt for Ahmadinejad is everywhere, from well-connected observers and analysts, government officials, and ordinary Iranians I've encountered. A few days ago, as I headed over to Ahmadinejad's campaign headquarters, I stopped a man to ask directions. "Ahmadinejad! Why do you want to go see him? He destroyed the country!" A few blocks later, a well-dressed man comes up to me, just outside the president's government office and down an alley from the campaign headquarters. He introduces himself as an employee in the office of the president. He says that Ahmadinejad is a fool. And he adds: "The mullahs [the Iranian clergy] are like idols. They must be broken!" He pulls down his shirt to show me a bullet wound from the war.
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Who will be the 2009 Iran election winner? To say this is a tight race would be an understatement. The candidates have inspired a resurgence in political interest in Iran with major cities hosting huge rallies in support of one, or against another. The 2009 Iranian Election is being broadcast on TV in Iran and is being touted as a demonstration of how far democracy has come in that country.
But this election should be appreciated not solely on the basis of its outcome, but for its impact on the process of democratization in Iran.
Elections matter, particularly the present ones, for it has been enriched with televised debates and presentations. The media are no longer monopolized by the supreme leader's favored candidate. We see a nation that is largely untrained in the methods of democratic competition, unfamiliar with the give and take of politics, and poorly practiced in peaceful decision-making at the national level undergoing a transformative exercise.
Such elections increase the appetite for more democracy; a recent poll shows that over 77 percent of Iranians favor direct elections for choosing the country's supreme leader and all other top officials.
The winner of the Iran Election 2009 will have no small task as the people have grown used to living in a democracy and expect a leader who will listen to them and do what is best for the people of Iran. All citizens over the age of 18, male and female, are eligible to vote. In Iran the election of a President is by direct vote. If there is no clear winner on the June 12, 2009 election a run off vote will be held one week later, on June 19.
The President is elected by direct vote. Candidates need to win majority (half plus one of the votes cast in the election) to become President. Iran has a two-round system: if none of the candidates win the majority in the first round, two top candidates from the first round will go to a second round, and whichever wins the majority of votes in the second round is elected President. The first round will be held on 12 June 2009, and the second round, if necessary, will be held one week later, on 19 June 2009.[2] All Iranian citizens of age 18 are eligible to vote. The Iranian Center for Statistics and Iranian Ministry of Interior have stated that there are around 46 million eligible voters.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (26)
at 18:10 on June 11th, 2009
The Iranian Democracy is based on the French Model and has it good as well as its bad sides. The good side is, that it is a real democracy, meaning, each vote counts as one and no electoral college to mess up the will of the people. Further ay one can in theory run as candidate as long has he or she has over 500 endorsements from Officials such as mayor.
The bad thing is that the Clergy can disqualify any one it opposes, why opinion against the clergy should be voiced only after being voted in.
at 22:38 on June 11th, 2009
This guy is like the Ron Paul of Iran. Rezaei. I pray to God that the people choose him to win the election. Really smart guy. I'm not one of those people who complain about Ahmadinejad and do accept that he has done some great things for the country. Mousavi seems alright too but Rezaei is friggin' AMAZING!
at 03:47 on June 12th, 2009
So you believe that Ahmadinejad has done some great things for the country?very strange!You rarely hear this from anybody .you should be a donkey Mr. Arya.
at 10:24 on June 12th, 2009
Supporters of former Iranian prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi attend an election rally in Tehran, Iran on June 9, 2009. Iran's presidential election will take place on June 12. ( photo by : Hamid Ramezanpour )
afaryneh has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:37 on June 12th, 2009
green election
afaryneh has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:16 on June 12th, 2009
Green Color
Green color was chosen by Mousavi as a symbol of being descendant of Mohammad the Prophet. But the green means something else for the supporters. Actually many of Mousavi's supporters does not agree with him and his ideology. They just want to Ahmadinejad out of his chair. And this green color is a symbol of their unity and may be hope for future.
Mehdi Kavousian has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:24 on June 12th, 2009
Not voting=Voting to Ahmadinejad
Worry. It is the main feeling that has caused Iranian on street to vote for Mousavi. Many of them worry about Ahmadinejad’s extremism in international relation, high inflation, and poor economy and less freedom in Iran.
4 years ago many people banned the presidential election and the not so well-known Ahmadinejad took the power by his anti-corruption slogans, and promises for providing justice. Now, after 4 years many people believe he has not only could do anything with corruption , with his improper politics has lead the country into a dangerous condition. Improper international status, high rate of inflation, and loosing jobs and not being clear and faithful against people has caused many of them to re-think to vote, even if their ideal candidate can not pass Islamic Republic regulation.
This girl in her poster tells : NOT VOTING IS EQUAL TO RE-ELECTING AHMADINEJAD.
Many people just chose "Mousavi" - the other candidate- just because they don't want "Ahmadinejad", and have no other choice.
During the campaign I tried to talk to some people at different ages. My questions were about: Why you choose Mousavi? What’s your feeling of this campaign? And what do you think of future?
A young student who carries a big green poster with the name of Mousavai says: “We are voting just for the green movement. I know about cultural revolution –elimination of many professors and students from universities-, political prisoners when Mousavi was prime-minister 28 years ago just after revolution. But the situation that Ahmadinejad has provided is not bearable. If he had been re-elected I’ll go to Zagross mountains and live like a shepherd! “
A 65-years old man who just watches the crowd but with a faith smile on his lips and deep look says: “It reminds me the revolution days 30 years ago. People were in streets like that! That time some people run in streets and shot slogan for Khomeini and people just follow them without any insight what will happen to them. I was a photographer in Keyhan (one of the main newspaper that time), and one of those who first took photos of Khomeini but they kick me out after revolution in a elimination process. After that we just hear lies form the government.“
When I moved toward my hand toward my bag, he asked if I am not recording his voice. Still he is afraid of the intelligence service of the government. When I asked what do you think of future. He replies: “I just hope this movement result to a better one. I will vote for anybody other than Ahmadinejad. You could find still a faint hope in his eyes. When I ask if your children have made you for such a vote, he says no it is my own vote. "
A 50s lady was my next target with no green sign on her cloth deeply watching the crowd. She waits some moment after I ask her how she feels. Then she says: “I don’t know what happens. I don’t know! But I hope, just I hope a better future for my children. I have three university gradated children. One of them with MS degree in psychology worked for an addicted healing center but lost his job. I just hope this government make something for our youth community.
Anyway Mousavi has announced he is a reformist who also believe in fundamentals. We shall have to wait and see how he’ll make reform in Iran.
at 11:26 on June 12th, 2009
Ahmadinejad left!
The newspaper this young man raises is a fake one resemble the famous issue of Keyhan daily which announced the Iran Shah’s left the country but now with the title “Ahmadinejad left”! Still afraid of the intelligence officer and his future, he has covered his face. His fear is acceptable. You may see one of those officer just behind him. Only those people have the right to ride such a powerful motorcycles in Iran. 12 years ago at 18th of Tir a photo of a student raising a bloody shirt during street conflicts caused him imprisoned for several years.
You know photography in street is forbidden in Iran , unless you take family photo or from a monument. But last week everything was free!
at 11:27 on June 12th, 2009
Presidential Election supporters in Iran, opponents beside each other
The rare view of presidential election supporters in Iran which has not been seen at least about 28 years. Ahmadinejad (the current president) and Mousavi his main opponent confronted in their hot debate at TV - never seen before in Islamic revolution- accusing each other for telling lie. The supporters, but, beside each other try to vow for their candidates in streets.
Green color was chosen by Mousavi as a symbol of being descendant of Mohammad the Prophet. But green means something else for the supporters. Actually many of Mousavi's supporters does not agree with him and his ideology. They just want to Ahmadinejad out of his chair. And this green color is a symbol of their unity and may be hope for future. Ahmadinejad chose national flag as his symbols. I don’t know if there is a law to prevent a person to use the national flag for his political purpose, but if there is no law it is funny.
at 11:14 on June 12th, 2009
NO LIE!
NO LIE!!! "Mir Hossein Mousavi", the main opponent of Ahmadinejad in Iran presidential election, accused him telling lie in his debate by giving improper statistics to them. Many of people carry the sign of NO LIE in streets. Ahmadinejad also did the same for Mousavi too. This is the first time in Islamic Republic of Iran the president is being accused of accomplishing a cardinal sin, where Islam is assumed to be as a base for everything in the government.
at 11:15 on June 12th, 2009
Ahmadinejad's supporter discussing
Even the hardliner who support Ahmadinejad try to change people crossing the street mind by discussion.
at 11:32 on June 12th, 2009
-[ man=woman ]-
______________________
iran's Elections -2009
iran - isfahan - naghshe jahan square
21 khordad 1388 ; 12 June 2009
pedramatic has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:19 on June 12th, 2009
امید به پیروزیه موسویییی .
mohammad.gashmardi has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:46 on June 12th, 2009
Ahmadinejad won elections because he is Ahmadinejad the respected and loved personality in hearts of every Muslem all over the world. He gives us hope that Muslems are evidently better than any person can think.
at 14:44 on June 12th, 2009
How can you support someone like that and call yourself an Iranian? Shame on you!!!People like you and your masters like Ahmadinejad and the mullahs are anti Iranians and anti-human. You will all go to hell for all the crimes you have committed and supported.
at 18:20 on June 12th, 2009
Oh I see its a case of getting people to vote then declaring ones the winner before the votes are counted. lol Democracy in the third world sucks because the corrupt elitist make it that way.
Admadinejah is an ex-terrorist and a very dangerous man of whom will go to great lengths to win this election. Cheat! yes of course he will....
at 21:24 on June 12th, 2009
brother bebel-fish,you really supprises me when you should be happy that the great people of iran has seen and concorerd,you are there saying what you dont know.Can you give me the meaning of democracy in detail,B4 you give me that your fake defination,i know the one you are bein thougth about the muslims and the arabs.Its for the muslims or the arabs to elect the person that, will protect the intrest of your pupet isreal.The muslims and the arabs has start from here.When hisbunlah of lebanon lose acourding to you west, you are all singing and dancing not knowing that that hisbullah won almost all the area in which they have candidate,but in democracy people that accept there lose faith are the true democrat,the supreme leader of the hisbullah congratulate the hariri lead coliation imediatly at the 10th hrs of the election.As far as me am concern hisbullah is the only true representative of democracy.By now Arien Sheron should be facin the world court in hague becourse he is the true terrorist that will never be Ex and he became the isreal prim minister without any objection from the WEST Weather the west like it or not the name ahmednejad has been writen in th golden list of the world ex president of IRAN.May GOD help us as we keep on unfoulding the world event.Amen
at 20:43 on June 12th, 2009
when people vote at the 10th hour u should know who will win,it happen doring obamas election,in india,australia,italy,os what are we say.Anyway the people of iran has voted in ahmadinejad as there own president so the WEST should shutup and listen to what Ahmadnejad has for you idiot
at 22:24 on June 12th, 2009
this election is fake as the others
at 04:44 on June 13th, 2009
Thanks Tina for this story. I am monitoring the elections on Press TV and IRIB [on shortwave radio].
at 05:47 on June 13th, 2009
Riot Police beat up supporters of Mousavi. Read more here
at 06:28 on June 13th, 2009
Mousavi :The Victory of election
at 06:38 on June 13th, 2009
Ahmadinejad Is Declared Victor in Iran
at 07:27 on June 13th, 2009
As all of you saw, this formula didn't work :
not voting= voting to ahmadinejad
I wonder, how the Iranian people can not understand that Islumic republic doesn't care about the people and their votes; otherwise it would be a democrat government;
so let's have some changes on that formula:
not voting to this government = you respect yourself
not voting to this government= the government feels alone
this is almost for 1 year that the IR leader, so obviously declares that his next president is the same.
I wonder how the people can not understand this and again they go,vote and they think of changes.
now they are laughing at the people and the people deserve it
at 23:14 on June 13th, 2009
hmm where to begin...
watched a documentary tonight on ahmadinejad, no one likes him, but they have to or jst like in a communist country the dictator rules. how many times has he won a term for presidency? what kind of diplomacy is that?
nuclear power? thats great your succeeding, oh wait, isnt his brother a nuclear engineer with a PHD in brothers love? hahaha hes not a president, hes a loser that has to change the laws in his favor to rack in more time as a dictator, woops president *wink wink* and btw it hasnt rained there in a while right? His brother doesnt know his dick from a leather belt, and i mean a thin leather belt. If your nuclear energy attempts is jst slightly off, could cause severe climate change.
and in the documentary, i heard "death to america." The only way you can do that is if you actually knew how to make a nuke. here in america, we dont write endless amounts of letters to just be rejected, our presidents (exception of boy george) address the problem and handle it... it doesnt take a year to get water to a town when all you have to do is fill up the iranian presidential plane with i butt load of water and fly it there. People need money, and what do you do, reject them... THEYRE FARMERS!!!! every country knows that they need farmers to survive, replenish an economy and to keep the climate the same! wow
and lastly, why would anyone want to live like worldwar2 nazi germany? no pictures in the streets unless your with family at a monument. GAY! diplomacy is more for power of the people, you cant just say "okay you didnt vote, mark him for ahmadinejad." You take away how many rights? no pictures, woman have absolutely no say, they right the most letters and have a better understanding of how messed up their country is. but they get no where
PS, u hate americans because your jealous... we dont want to take away your nuclear energy, we dont want the bombs! NO NUKES FOR ANYONE! Granite in the muslim religion woman are not allowed to do anything, its 2009 people, civil rights? god wants everyone treated equal, wether you be male, female, black or white or anything inbetween hahah. dont say death to america, we dont have obama showing up and praising death to iran or any other inferior country. You dont like superpowers, why? because thats what we strived for and succeeded in becoming before the first world war? Jealousy and hate is no way to go through life.
at 03:46 on June 14th, 2009
about 40 hours before election starts(wednesday) , 130,000 Esfahanians welcoming M.Khatami and supporting Mir Hossein Mousavi in "Naghsheh Jahan" sqr
M-Azar has contributed a photo to this story.