Iran Election Disputed as Both Sides Claim Victory

State media declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of Iran's election on Friday, but challenger Mirhossein Mousavi alleged irregularities and claimed victory for himself.

The state election commission said Ahmadinejad was ahead with almost 69 percent of the votes after 10 million votes — or 35 percent of all ballot boxes — were counted. Mousavi had nearly 29 percent.

AP Incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims victory, as does his opponent

The official news agency IRNA said: "Dr Ahmadinejad, by winning most votes at the 10th presidential election, has secured his victory."

Mousavi had earlier tried to pre-empt official announcements by calling a news conference at which he alleged there had been irregularities, including a shortage of ballot papers.

"I am the definite winner of this presidential election," he declared.

A bitterly fought campaign has generated intense excitement inside Iran and strong interest around the world, with policymakers looking for signs of a change of approach by Tehran, whose ties with the West worsened under Ahmadinejad.

A victory for Mousavi could help ease tensions with the West, which is concerned about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, and improve chances of engagement with U.S. President Barack Obama, who has talked about a new start in ties with Tehran.

In Washington, Obama said his administration was excited about the debate taking place in Iran and he hoped it would help the two countries to engage "in new ways."

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Mousavi, a former prime minister, said many people had not been able to cast their ballots even after voting was extended by four hours. At his news conference, he listed what he said were problems with the voting process.

"(We) are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities be given," Mousavi said. "We expect to celebrate with people soon."

Crucially, the election commission did not say where the votes it had counted were cast. If they were predominantly from rural areas or from poorer big city neighbourhoods where Ahmadinejad draws bedrock support, the early results are likely to over-estimate his tally.

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Mousavi enjoys strong backing in wealthier urban centres, and was expected to attract votes from women and young Iranians. It was unclear how his supporters, who thronged the streets of Tehran nightly in the run-up to the vote, might react to an Ahmadinejad victory.

Police say they have increased security across the capital to prevent any unrest. All gatherings have been banned until the publication of final results. Late on Friday night, Tehran streets were quiet.

Under the election rules, if no candidate wins 50 percent of the votes, a run-off will be held on June 19 between the two front-runners.

Voting Queues

Long queues had formed at voting centres. High turnout could indicate voting by many pro-reformers who stayed away when Ahmadinejad won four years ago on a pledge to revive the values of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Political analysts have said they expect a close race.

For Iranians it is a chance to pass judgment on his management of the Islamic Republic's oil exporting economy. Although Ahmadinejad, 52, says his government has revived economic growth and curbed price rises, inflation and high unemployment were the main campaign issues. Official inflation is around 15 percent.

Social issues, such as strict dress codes for women, as well as Iran's ties with the outside world, also featured in the campaign but the outcome of the vote will not bring a major shift in Iran's foreign policy, which is determined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The United States has had no ties with Iran since shortly after the revolution but Obama said in Washington that the United States had "tried to send a clear message that we think there is the possibility of change" in relations.

Mousavi, 67, rejects Western demands that Iran halt uranium enrichment but analysts say he would bring a different approach to Iran-U.S. ties and talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West fears is a cover to build bombs. Iran denies this.

"People's strong, revolutionary and clear decision will bring about a bright future for the nation," Ahmadinejad said when he voted in a working-class part of Tehran.

"I thank all the people for their green presence which created a miracle," Mousavi said, referring to the colours worn by his backers who thronged Tehran streets during the campaign, as he voted in Tehran with his wife at his side.

The three-week election campaign was marked by mudslinging, with Ahmadinejad accusing his rivals of corruption. They said he was lying about the state of the economy.

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