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Ahmadinejad set for Iran poll win Ahmadinejad set for Iran poll win
(11 minutes later)
Iran's electoral commission says votes counted so far in the presidential poll show that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been re-elected.Iran's electoral commission says votes counted so far in the presidential poll show that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been re-elected.
Mr Ahmadinejad has 65% of the vote with 80% counted and has claimed victory in an election that drew a large turnout.Mr Ahmadinejad has 65% of the vote with 80% counted and has claimed victory in an election that drew a large turnout.
His leading rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, has vowed to contest the outcome, complaining of a number of voting irregularities.His leading rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, has vowed to contest the outcome, complaining of a number of voting irregularities.
A candidate must secure 50% in the first round to avoid a run-off vote.A candidate must secure 50% in the first round to avoid a run-off vote.
Rival claimsRival claims
BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the latest official results suggest Mr Ahmadinejad will be a clear winner in the first round as the pattern of voting is not expected to change.BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the latest official results suggest Mr Ahmadinejad will be a clear winner in the first round as the pattern of voting is not expected to change.
He says supporters of Mr Mousavi have expressed shock and disbelief.He says supporters of Mr Mousavi have expressed shock and disbelief.
IRANIAN ELECTION Voting age 18 years; electorate of 42.5m peoplePresident to serve maximum of two consecutive four-year terms (or three non-consecutive)Election won by absolute majoritySecond round held between top two if no candidate wins majority Power of women in Iran's election Poll passion in US Read your commentsIRANIAN ELECTION Voting age 18 years; electorate of 42.5m peoplePresident to serve maximum of two consecutive four-year terms (or three non-consecutive)Election won by absolute majoritySecond round held between top two if no candidate wins majority Power of women in Iran's election Poll passion in US Read your comments
Our correspondent says Mr Mousavi is likely to dispute the expected result, saying it could only be possible with massive vote rigging. Our correspondent says Mr Mousavi is likely to dispute the expected result and will feel it could only be possible with massive vote rigging.
Mr Mousavi had earlier said there was a shortage of ballot papers and millions of people had been denied the right to vote.Mr Mousavi had earlier said there was a shortage of ballot papers and millions of people had been denied the right to vote.
His election monitors were not allowed enough access to polling stations, he added, saying he would deal seriously with any fraud.His election monitors were not allowed enough access to polling stations, he added, saying he would deal seriously with any fraud.
The election commission says Mr Mousavi's vote is around 32%.The election commission says Mr Mousavi's vote is around 32%.
The state news agency Irna has declared Mr Ahmadinejad the "definite winner".The state news agency Irna has declared Mr Ahmadinejad the "definite winner".
His campaign manager Mojtaba Samareh Hachemi was quoted by the Fars news agency as saying: "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."His campaign manager Mojtaba Samareh Hachemi was quoted by the Fars news agency as saying: "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."
After polling ended, both Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Mousavi had declared victory.After polling ended, both Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Mousavi had declared victory.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the rivals were probably attempting to stake their claims before the real arguments begin. The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the rivals were probably attempting to stake their claims before the real arguments began.
Large turnoutLarge turnout
There had been a surge of interest in Iran's presidential election, with unprecedented live television debates between the candidates and rallies attended by thousands.There had been a surge of interest in Iran's presidential election, with unprecedented live television debates between the candidates and rallies attended by thousands.
Mr Mousavi has alleged widespread electoral fraud
There were long queues of voters at polling stations, with officials predicting an "unprecedented" turnout as they extended voting hours by several hours to accommodate the queues on Friday.There were long queues of voters at polling stations, with officials predicting an "unprecedented" turnout as they extended voting hours by several hours to accommodate the queues on Friday.
Election officials said the turnout was possibly higher than 80%.Election officials said the turnout was possibly higher than 80%.
Four candidates contested the election, with Mohsen Razai and Mehdi Karroubi trailing the two main contenders. Four candidates contested the election, with Mohsen Razai and Mehdi Karroubi only registering a small percentage.
The result will be watched closely outside Iran - in the US, Israel, and European capitals - for any hint of a possible shift in the country's attitude to the rest of the world, BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says. Police have increased security to try to head off trouble from losing supporters and all gatherings have been banned until the official results have been published.
The timing of the election is also crucial, as the US push for a new policy of engagement with Tehran cannot really get going until the outcome of the election is clear, our correspondent adds. There have been some reports of blocked phone and internet access.
US President Barack Obama said as the polling drew to a close that he was "excited" by the robust debate taking place in the country.US President Barack Obama said as the polling drew to a close that he was "excited" by the robust debate taking place in the country.
Women's interest President Ahmadinejad draws support mainly from the urban poor and rural areas, while his rivals have support among the middle classes and the educated urban population.
President Ahmadinejad draws support mainly from the urban poor and rural areas, while his rivals have huge support among the middle classes and the educated urban population.
Mr Mousavi has alleged widespread electoral fraud
Iranian women have also shown great interest in the election and it appears many of them will be voting for the moderate candidates who have promised them more social freedoms, our analyst says.
The votes in regions with national and religious minorities are also important, as they normally vote for reformist candidates.
Iran is ruled under a system known as Velayat-e Faqih, or "Rule by the Supreme Jurist", who is currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran is ruled under a system known as Velayat-e Faqih, or "Rule by the Supreme Jurist", who is currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
It was adopted by an overwhelming majority in 1979 following the Islamic revolution which overthrew the autocratic Western-backed Shah.It was adopted by an overwhelming majority in 1979 following the Islamic revolution which overthrew the autocratic Western-backed Shah.
But the constitution also stipulates that the people are the source of power and the country holds phased presidential and parliamentary elections every four years.But the constitution also stipulates that the people are the source of power and the country holds phased presidential and parliamentary elections every four years.
All candidates are vetted by the powerful conservative-controlled Guardian Council, which also has the power to veto legislation it deems inconsistent with revolutionary principles.All candidates are vetted by the powerful conservative-controlled Guardian Council, which also has the power to veto legislation it deems inconsistent with revolutionary principles.
What do think of the election results so far? How important are the elections for Iran's future? You can send us your views using the form below:What do think of the election results so far? How important are the elections for Iran's future? You can send us your views using the form below:
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