Landslide Victory for President Ahmadinejad – world media reacts
Preliminary results show that Iran’s incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won the elections in a landslide victory, gaining more than 64 percent of the votes. His campaign manager Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi has already claimed victory.
According to reports from the Election Commission Headquarters, the latest statistics announced by the Iranian electoral officials show 38 million (98 percent) of the ballots have been counted so far with Ahmadinejad winning 63.81 percent of votes.
It is expected that official results will be announced shortly. Former prime minister, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who had earlier claimed victory with 54 percent of the votes, has so far gained 32.57 percent of the votes that were counted up to 9:30 a.m. local time (0500 GMT).
Results show that former IRGC Commander, Mohsen Rezaei, won 1.66 percent of the votes and two-time parliament (Majlis) speaker Mehdi Karroubi (1989-1992 and 2000-2004) grabbed 0.83 percent. Mousavi complained of irregularities in the election, including a shortage of ballot papers and attacks on his campaign offices. He said his election monitors were not allowed enough access to polling stations, adding that he would deal seriously with any fraud. Samareh Hashemi, however, dismissed Mousavi’s remarks.
"According to the votes counted so far, the distance between Ahmadinejad and his rivals is so great that any doubts cast on this victory will be treated as a joke by the public," he was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. Police have increased security across Tehran and have banned all gatherings until the publication of final results.
Officials estimate the voter turnout at more than 80 percent.
Here are the headlines from different news outlets(figure out the Imperialists):
- Two Candidates Claim Victory in Iran Election {Washington Post}
- Iran rivals both declare victory {BBC}
- Both Sides Claim Victory in Presidential Election in Iran {New York Times}
- Media declares Ahmadinejad winner {Gulf News}
- Ahmadinejad, Mousavi backers fill Tehran streets {Dawn}
- In Iran, first results give Ahmadinejad commanding lead {Christian Science Monitor}
- Ahmadinejad Nearing Landslide Victory in Iran’s Presidential Vote { Al Manar}
- Ahmadinejad ’set for Iran victory’ {Al Jazeera}
- Iranians turn out in strength for presidential election {Hindu}
- Ahmadinejad heads for big win {Reuters}
Quote of the day: "I am the definite winner of this presidential election," Mousavi told a news conference.