IRAN: Mobile polling stations aid voters in remote areas

Record ID: 313798

  • Title: IRAN: Mobile polling stations aid voters in remote areas
  • Date: 13th June 2009
  • Summary: TEHRAN, IRAN (JUNE 12, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOTERS QUEUING BY MOBILE POLLING STATION ON SIDE OF ROAD VOTERS INSIDE BUS LIST OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES STUCK ON SIDE OF BUS VARIOUS OF ELECTION AUDITOR REGISTERING VOTERS
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9256P4MR4J29TDKFSZQ4CUG1A
  • Story Text: Iranian interior ministry sets up mobile polling stations on the outskirts of Tehran.
    Iranians living on the outskirts of the capital Tehran cast their votes in mobile polling stations on Friday (June 12).
    The country's interior ministry announced the deployment of portable ballot boxes in the lead-up to the fiercely-fought race, which pits hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against a former prime minister who sharply criticises his economic record and wants detente with the West.
    The ministry told Reuters that 14,307 buses were deployed across the Islamic republic -- 2 percent more than the previous election in 2005.
    For some voters the convenience of the voting buses was welcome.
    "My opinion is that the government has placed these mobile ballots so that people can easily cast their vote. The presence of voters is widespread. As voting time is limited, this means everyone can take part in the voting process. So the government has set this up so that everyone can essentially have the opportunity to vote," said voter Alireza Ahmadi.
    Some have criticised the mobile ballots. With limited supervision, no one watches who casts their vote or is present during the tally.
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