The Scotsman: Counting began in Iran’s presidential elections last night, with low turnouts at some polling stations suggesting that calls for a boycott by pro-reformers had had some effect. In the wealthy suburbs of northern Tehran, where opposition to the country’s theocracy is strongest, some polling stations closed with only a fraction of their ballot papers used.
Boycott hits Iranian election
Iran’s Sham Democracy
New York Times – Editorial: Today’s presidential election in Iran is an affront to true democracy, just as the past record of the front-running contender, Ali Akhbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, is an affront to true moderation. As President Bush rightly noted, the voting was effectively rigged in advance by the council of unelected clerics that decided who would and who wouldn’t be allowed to run.
Politics & Policies: Iran’s elections
UPI: President Bush’s denouncing of Iran’s electoral system a day before the Islamic Republic went to the polls to choose a new president was seen by Iranian opposition groups as a sign of encouragement and support. Vowing that “America would support those seeking freedom,” Bush called the Islamic Republic’s electoral system “undemocratic.”
No hurry to vote in languid Iranian town
AFP: Iran has been swift to accuse foreign enemies of seeking a low turnout in Friday’s presidential election, but in the sleepy city of Kashan officials appear to have encountered an even more potent foe — stifling heat. Right into the evening, roads in this city of 215,000 voters on the fringes of the desert were as empty as the polling stations.
Iran elections: Demonstrations continue leading to clashes, arrests
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 For the second time in this evening and despite forceful government reaction crowds have gathered in squares across the Iranian capital Tehran, demonstrating against todays presidential elections and setting on fire a vehicle belonging to Irans State Security Forces.
Iran elections: Demonstrations continue leading to clashes, arrests
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 For the second time in this evening and despite forceful government reaction crowds have gathered in squares across the Iranian capital Tehran, demonstrating against todays presidential elections and setting on fire a vehicle belonging to Irans State Security Forces.
Election special photo report at Tehran polling stations Part 3
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 Polling stations in Irans capital were by and large empty today despite an appeal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for widespread participation in the presidential elections. Most of the Tehrans voting stations had a record-low turnout and many were empty.
Election special photo report at Tehran polling stations Part 3
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 Polling stations in Irans capital were by and large empty today despite an appeal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for widespread participation in the presidential elections. Most of the Tehrans voting stations had a record-low turnout and many were empty.
Election special photo report at Tehran polling stations Part 2
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 Voting stations in Tehran were by and large empty today despite an appeal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for widespread participation in Irans presidential elections.
Most of the capitals polling stations had record-low voters and many were empty.
Election special photo report at Tehran polling stations Part 2
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 17 Voting stations in Tehran were by and large empty today despite an appeal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for widespread participation in Irans presidential elections.
Most of the capitals polling stations had record-low voters and many were empty.
