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Iranians vote in general election Iranians vote in general election
(30 minutes later)
Voting has begun in Iran's elections, with conservatives expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running.Voting has begun in Iran's elections, with conservatives expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running.
The authorities in Tehran have called for a huge turnout in the parliamentary polls, to defy the US and other countries they say are Iran's enemies. 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.
But the BBC's Tehran correspondent says many Iranians will choose not to cast ballots because of a lack of choice. But the BBC's Tehran correspondent says many Iranians may choose not vote because of a lack of choice.
The vote will shape Iran's political map ahead of 2009's presidential poll.The vote will shape Iran's political map ahead of 2009's presidential poll.
But with such a narrow field, the only question is how seats will be shared out between competing conservatives, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran.But with such a narrow field, the only question is how seats will be shared out between competing conservatives, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran.
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 figuresQ&A: Parliamentary electionIRANIAN 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 figuresQ&A: Parliamentary election
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.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.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 hard-line 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 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 have 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.
With polls scheduled to close at 1800 (1430 GMT), turnout is not expected to be much above 50% and pundits say it could be dramatically lower in Tehran.With polls scheduled to close at 1800 (1430 GMT), turnout is not expected to be much above 50% and pundits say it could be dramatically lower in Tehran.