This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8098305.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Iran election rivals both declare victory Iran election rivals both declare victory
(about 1 hour later)
The two main candidates in Iran's presidential election have claimed victory, after extended voting as huge numbers of people turned out to vote. The two main candidates in Iran's presidential election have claimed victory after voting closed in a poll that has drawn a large turnout.
Reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi told a news conference that he had won by a substantial margin. State media said hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had won, and officials said he had got 67% of the 15 million votes so far counted.
However, state media said hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had won, and officials said he had got 67% of the 15 million votes so far counted. But reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi told a news conference that he had won by a substantial margin.
But Mr Mousavi has complained of some 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.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.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] are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities to be given," Mr Mousavi said.
"We hope that authorities in charge do their work in this regard." "We expect to celebrate with people soon. We hope that authorities in charge do their work in this regard."
Surge of interestSurge of interest
Electoral commission officials said that, with nearly half the ballots counted, Mr Ahmadinejad had gained around two-thirds of the votes.Electoral commission officials said that, with nearly half the ballots counted, Mr Ahmadinejad had gained around two-thirds of the votes.
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 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.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 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 Read your comments
There has been a surge of interest recently 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 have been long queues of voters at polling stations, with officials predicting an "unprecedented" turnout. 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.
Four candidates are contesting 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.
If no candidate gets 50% in the first round, the two front-runners will face a run-off vote.If no candidate gets 50% in the first round, the two front-runners will face a run-off vote.
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.
The BBC's Jon Leyne explains the voting process in IranThe BBC's Jon Leyne explains the voting process in Iran
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.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.
Did you vote in Iran's elections? How important are the elections for Iran's future? You can send us your views using the form below:Did you vote in Iran's elections? How important are the elections for Iran's future? You can send us your views using the form below:
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions