- Title: IRAN: Hardline leader Ahmadinejad votes in Iran's 10th presidential election
- Date: 13th June 2009
- Summary: TEHRAN, IRAN (JUNE 12, 2009) (REUTERS) IRANIAN PRESIDENT AND CANDIDATE MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD WALKING THROUGH CROWD/SHAKING HANDS WITH SUPPORTERS WOMEN CHANTING AHMADINEJAD AT DESK WHERE HE WILL CAST BALLOT AHMADINEJAD HOLDING BALLOT NOTE AHMADINEJAD CASTING BALLOT/PEOPLE CHANTING PEOPLE CHANTING AHMADINEJAD WAVING AT CROWD WOMEN CHANTING (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN PRESIDENT AND CANDIDATE MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYING: "I sincerely thank the people of Iran, for all their goodness, for their greatness, for their selfless-ness, their sacrifices, and for their forgiveness. I am certain that the participation of people -- God willing -- will open doors for bigger things, more important decisions, and clear movements." WOMEN AT BALLOT BOXES AHMADINEJAD WAVING AT CROWD
- Embargoed: 28th June 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAA4LNSJYB14DW5EFAQ2OCAK14C
- Story Text: Iran's hardline candidate and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad casts his vote in a bitterly fought election.
President and hardline candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday (June 12) cast his vote as Iranians streamed to polling stations in a bitterly-fought race.
"I sincerely thank the people of Iran, for all their goodness, for their greatness, for their selfless-ness, their sacrifices, and for their forgiveness. I am certain that the participation of people -- God willing -- will open doors for bigger things, more important decisions, and clear movements," said the leader while voting in a working class part of southeast Tehran.
Four candidates are standing in the poll but Ahmadinejad's strongest challenger appears to be the moderate Mirhossein Mousavi.
For Iranians the election is a chance to pass judgement on Ahmadinejad's four years in office, particularly his management of the Islamic Republic's oil exporting economy, which is suffering from high inflation and unemployment.
Voting started at 8 a.m. (0330 GMT) and is due to end 10 hours later, although hours are likely to be extended as officials expect a high turnout from 46 million eligible voters.
Preliminary results are expected early on Saturday (June 13). Analysts expect a close race between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi, which may go to a run-off on June 19. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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