Heavy turnout predicted as Iranians vote (3)
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranians packed polling stations from boutique-lined streets in north Tehran to conservative bastions to choose Friday between keeping hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power or replacing him with a reformist who favors greater freedoms and improved ties with the United States.
The fiery, monthlong campaign unleashed passions that could bring a record turnout. The mass rallies, polished campaign slogans, savvy Internet outreach and televised debates more closely resembled Western elections than the scripted campaigns in most other Middle Eastern countries.
Lines formed quickly at many voting sites in areas considered both strongholds for Ahmadinejad and his main rival, reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi, who served as prime minister in the 1980s and has become the surprise hero of a powerful youth-driven movement.
With the race considered too close to call, a top election official predicted the turnout could surpass nearly 80 per cent in elections 12 years ago that brought President Mohammad Khatami to power and began the pro-reform movement. A strong turnout could boost Mousavi. He is counting on under-30s, who account for about a third of Iran’s 46.2 million eligible voters.
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Updates:
3:30 pm EDT, June 12th, 2009 — Mousavi claims victory over Ahmadinejad
4:55 pm EDT, June 12th, 2009 — State media declares Ahmadinejad winner in election
Notes:
As Bugs Bunny was known to say on more than one occasion “Of course you realize this means war!”
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