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Iranians vote in general election Iranians vote in general election
(about 2 hours later)
Voting has been taking place in Iran, with conservatives expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running.Voting has been taking place in Iran, with conservatives expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running.
The authorities in Tehran have called for a big turnout in the parliamentary polls, to defy the US and other countries they say are Iran's enemies.
Top election official Ali Reza Afshar said turnout had been "glorious" and higher than in previous polls.Top election official Ali Reza Afshar said turnout had been "glorious" and higher than in previous polls.
But observers had predicted turnout would not be much above 50%, perhaps lower in the capital, Tehran.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the lack of choice among candidates could have discouraged voters.
With the field narrowed thanks to the disqualification of reformist candidates, he says the only question is how seats will be shared out between competing conservatives.
IRANIAN POLL Eighth parliamentary election since 1979 revolution43 million eligible voters290 seats from 30 provincesAbout 40% of those who applied to stand disqualified by the Guardian Council Analysis: Election foretoldIran in facts and figuresIn pictures: Iran votes The Iranian authorities had called for a big turnout to defy the US and other countries they say are Iran's enemies.
The election will shape the political map ahead of 2009's presidential poll.The election will shape the political map ahead of 2009's presidential poll.
IRANIAN POLL Eighth parliamentary election since 1979 revolution43 million eligible voters290 seats from 30 provincesAbout 40% of those who applied to stand disqualified by the Guardian Council class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7293125.stm">Analysis: Election foretold class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7279003.stm">Iran in facts and figures class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7295972.stm">In pictures: Iran votes President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flew in from an Islamic summit in Senegal to cast his vote. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flew in from an Islamic summit in Senegal to cast his vote.
He said the world had chosen Iran as its "role model and saviour".He said the world had chosen Iran as its "role model and saviour".
Polls are due to close at 1800 (1430 GMT). Observers said turnout was not expected to be much above 50% and could be dramatically lower in Tehran. Real winners
The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says a lack of choice, due to widespread disqualifications of reformist candidates, could discourage people from voting. The reformists seem to have given up the fight after many of their candidates were disqualified on the grounds of alleged lack of loyalty to Islamic values, says our correspondent.
With the field narrowed, he says, the only question is how seats will be shared out between competing conservatives. It is Iran's eighth parliamentary poll since its 1979 Islamic revolutionThey made up the bulk of about 1,700 candidates barred from running by Iran's Guardian Council - an unelected body of clerics and jurists that vets election candidates.
Some 4,500 candidates are competing for 290 seats.Enlarge Image The reformists seem to have given up the fight after many of their candidates were disqualified on the grounds of alleged lack of loyalty to Islamic values, says our correspondent.
They made up the bulk of around 1,700 candidates barred from running by Iran's Guardian Council - an unelected body of clerics and jurists that vets election candidates.
The Guardian Council has denied bias.The Guardian Council has denied bias.
Analysts expect the poll's real winners to be former members of the hard-line Revolutionary Guards, who could replace the Muslim clergy as the biggest force in the assembly. Analysts expect the poll's real winners to be former members of the hardline Revolutionary Guards, who could replace the Muslim clergy as the biggest force in the assembly.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could also gain strength if, as forecast, a new younger generation of hard-line loyalists gains positions of power.Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could also gain strength if, as forecast, a new younger generation of hard-line loyalists gains positions of power.
Going nuclearGoing nuclear
The likely effect of a further increase in conservative self-confidence, our correspondent says, will be even less chance of compromise over Iran's nuclear programme, and a yet more assertive foreign policy.The likely effect of a further increase in conservative self-confidence, our correspondent says, will be even less chance of compromise over Iran's nuclear programme, and a yet more assertive foreign policy.
It is Iran's eighth parliamentary poll since its 1979 Islamic revolutionSome 4,500 candidates nationwide are running for parliament's 290 seats.
It is thought the reformists may struggle to hang on to the 40 or so seats they hold in the assembly.It is thought the reformists may struggle to hang on to the 40 or so seats they hold in the assembly.
They say the election is unfair but have still urged Iran's 44 million eligible voters to turn out for the country's eighth parliamentary elections since its 1979 Islamic revolution. They say the election is unfair but still urged Iran's 44 million eligible voters to turn out for the country's eighth parliamentary elections since its 1979 Islamic revolution.
President Ahmadinejad's political opponents blame him for the three rounds of sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations over its nuclear programme.President Ahmadinejad's political opponents blame him for the three rounds of sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations over its nuclear programme.
The US, Israel and key Western powers accuse Iran of attempting to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran insists it is only enriching uranium for a civilian energy programme.The US, Israel and key Western powers accuse Iran of attempting to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran insists it is only enriching uranium for a civilian energy programme.