Iran Elections 2009: voter fraud & rigged results? Mixed reports

Chaos always incuse in Taiwan after a presidential election. Must be really chaotic in Iran right now.

Ahmedinejad was expected to win in a landslide just months ago from u.s. national news.

We shall see how the next 72 hours play out. The events and actions over the next 72 hours are crucial. 

Should Iran witness a new Revolution it would be a disaster for all parties involved and especially for the US in Iraq.

This needs to be sorted out democratically and openly.

Bush his victory was more then questionable as well due to the Florida chaos.

This really will be a determining factor not only for Iran, but the World over. Should the Green succeed it would not necessarily be a blessing since their leader plays the religious card of being a descendant of the prophet, wish could go either way.

Amy. Ahmadinejad called on the public to respect the vote and attacked the foreign media's coverage. All political and propaganda machines abroad and sections inside the country have been mobilized against the nation," he said in a televised address. "They have launched the heaviest propaganda and psychological war against the Iranian nation. Many global networks continuously worked, employing very complicated methods, that work against our nation and arranged a full-fledged battle against us."

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said that Iranians should celebrate their 80% turnout and their strong vote of confidence to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the Friday presidential election.

This is a sufficient confirmation that election was fair.

...looks to me like Ahmedinejad stole a page out of Bush's "how-to-rig-an-election-and-get-away-with-it" handbook, mixed with a some Chinese style censorship. I wonder when, not if, his opponent(s) will suffer from an unfortunate "accident".

The next few days will be quite interesting.

interesting

It could take a long time for this to settle down

"state-run media"- what a travesty

The new media- based on evolving technology and public participation- is so important- the US MSM is definitely better, although the corporate media often seem to be essentially "state-run media", mockingbirds that they are.

God bless  you that are in Iran and getting the word out to the world, and thank you Amy and nowpublic.

Hi.  I'm in Shiraz.  I voted for Karubi.  ApparentlyRE:  "The sentimental implausibility of Ahmedinejad's victory that Mousavi's supporters set forth as the evidence of state corruption must be met by the equal implausibility that such widespread corruption could take place under clear daylight."

True.  But the only thing that can break through this is a recount.  The election results are either accurate, or inaccurate.  A recount with representatives of all candidates witnessing would resolve this issue and stop the bloodshed and unrest.  If the count is accurate, the losing side will have to concede defeat.  The doubts will be cleared up.

Without a recount, the doubt and ill will will persist, not to mention violence and death.

For public safety and goodwill, this is the logical course to take.  Good leadership on the part of Ahmadinejad would involve agreeing to such a recount.  This is no time for umbrage.  They question the vote, let them count it themselves.  Do a revote.  With a landslide, you have nothing to fear.  It will only strengthen your image.  And spare some lives.

The news we need to hear now is the negotiation over such a recount.  Every thing else is speculation. 

Of course, the rather real possibility of voter fraud exists and one must wait in the coming weeks to see how these allegations unfold. But one should recall that in three decades of presidential elections, the accusations of rigging have rarely been levied against the vote count. Elections here are typically controlled by banning candidates from the start or closing opposition newspapers in advance - Barzegar

So elections have been typically controlled by banning candidaes from the start. Obviously Ahmadinejad does not want that or never did because he wants to appear democratically elected. Does this not invalidate the statement Barzegar is making?

In addition, Ahmadinejad or his government has shut down the major sources of communication of his opponent : The text-messaging that is the nervous system of the opposition was shut down, along with universities, Web sites and newspapers the government regarded as hostile. Mr. Moussavi was not allowed a platform on Saturday, and barely managed to get out a communiqué calling the election “a magic show.” In a government where the media is state run, where the means of communication are shut down as necessary, where seemingly the ruling party controls what is said and how it is said(when necessary), how can any election be democratic? Indeed the recount would mean nothing as it would indefinitely slide in Ahmadinejad`s favor. Quote: If a recount were to take place, I'm sure the result would still be in Ahmadinejads favor and the cloud of doubt will never go away because there has been more than enough time to dispose of the physical ballots. Well said, liquilite 1. However, I do agree that Ahmadinejad likely won as a landslide was previously predicted. Still, if the ruling party doesn´t allow significant foreign media coverage, how can the real situation be determined? Although our own U.S. media might lie and subtly twist the facts, a state run media is far worse. Until a real democratic system develops in Iran, no elections can be certain. But that right is solely on the shoulders of the Iranian people and it is their battle, not anyone elses. Of course, its a lot harder to change a regime when that regime is seemingly controlling public opinion.