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Ahmadinejad 'leads in Iran election' Ahmadinejad heads for Iran poll win
(about 1 hour later)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a substantial lead in Iran's presidential election with about 77% of votes counted, officials say. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is heading for re-election as Iran's president, with about 80% of votes counted, election officials say.
Mr Ahmadinejad so far has 65% of the vote and claimed victory in an election that has drawn a large turnout. Mr Ahmadinejad so far has 65% of the vote and has claimed victory in an election that drew a large turnout.
However his leading rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, said earlier that he had won by a substantial margin. His leading rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, has vowed to contest the outcome, complaining of a number of voting irregularities.
Mr Mousavi also complained of a number of voting irregularities.
He said there had been 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.
"[We] are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities to be given," Mr Mousavi said.
"We expect to celebrate with people soon. We hope that authorities in charge do their work in this regard."
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.
Surge of interest Rival claims
Electoral commission officials said that Mr Ahmadinejad so far had gained around two-thirds of the votes. The BBC's Sadeq Saba in Tehran 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.
State news agency Irna has declared Mr Ahmadinejad the "definite winner". He says supporters of Mr Mousavi have expressed shock and disbelief.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says most of the early votes counted came from rural areas, where Mr Ahmadinejad is considered to be stronger.
The early rival declarations of victory could be a case of the two candidates attempting to stake their claims before the real arguments begin, he says.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Large 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.
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.
Turnout has been unofficially estimated at 70-75%.Turnout has been unofficially estimated at 70-75%.
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 trailing the two main contenders.
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.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.
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.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.
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 interestWomen's interest
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.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.
Advertisement Mr Mousavi has alleged widespread electoral fraud
Polls in Iranian's presidential election close as both leading candidates claim victory
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.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.The votes in regions with national and religious minorities are also important, as they normally vote for reformist candidates.
Mr Mousavi is an ethnic Azeri and is expected to do well in his province, as is Mehdi Karroubi in his native Lorestan province.
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.
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