Tehran - A landslide election victory is every politician's
dream. But for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, it is proving
to be a nightmare.
Hundreds of his opponents, mostly men but also some women, took to
the streets of Tehran on Saturday, setting off a cycle of protests
and violence after the Interior Ministry announced that Ahmadinejad
was re-elected as president with more than 62 per cent of votes.
Ahmadinejad's overwhelming victory immediately sparked accusations
of fraud from his main rival Mir-Hossein Moussavi and violent clashes
followed in several parts of the Iranian capital between riot police
and demonstrators. Many of the estimated 40 million voters regretted
that they had exercised their franchise.
As the situation grew out of control, police had to resort to
using tear gas against large numbers of protestors. There were
reports of shooting near the Vanak square in Tehran, causing fear
among residents in the rather crowded business district.
What started as a widespread feeling of deep frustration with the
electoral process rapidly transformed into anger. While police banned
demonstrations and cancelled a press conference for foreign
correspondents, the protestors - mainly Moussavi's supporters -
wouldn't back down.
As they hurled stones at the police and burnt tyres and garbage,
the protestors shouted slogans: 'We want our voices back,' 'Death to
the dictator,' We don't want the Taliban in Tehran.' Observers
described the situation as 'explosive,' as thick plumes of smoke rose
over Tehran.
There were no immediate reports available of deaths or injuries.
Some voiced their displeasure more passively - carrying banners
that said, 'I want my vote back,' or praying, Allaho Akbar' (god is
great).
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed the election
result and congratulated Ahmadinejad.
'The elected president is the president of all Iranians and also
his opponents should now support and help him,' Khamenei said in a
message carried by state television.
'With their presence, the people turned the election into an epic
day,' he said, referring to the 85-per-cent record turnout.
According to the Iranian constitution, Ayatollah Khamenei has the
final say on all state affairs, and could have potentially nullified
the election if fraud had been proved. But it will be hard to
convince disillusioned voters.
Amid the ensuing violence, Ahmadinejad remained adamant that the
election was free and democratic.
'Almost 40 million people attended the free election and passed a
huge democratic test in front of the whole world and chose the path
of awakening, pride and dignity,' he said in a televised speech after
the results were declared.
'The people could have voted for the return to the past but they
voted for the (way) ahead and the step towards the future,' he said.
Meanwhile, an influential Iranian clergy group said the counting
process was fraudulent and called for the nullification of the
election.
The Islamic Combatant Clergy Association (ICCA), which is close to
former president Mohammad Khatami and supported Moussavi in Friday's
vote, said on its website that the election should be held again in a
calmer, more logical and more just atmosphere.
The Interior Ministry has rejected all fraud charges. Interior
Minister Sadeq Mahsoul said Ahmadinejad got 24.5 million votes and
secured himself an absolute majority of 62 per cent. Moussavi
received 33.7 per cent - 13.2 million - of the votes.
Moussavi had already declared himself the victor shortly after
polling closed, and later claimed there had been large-scale
irregularities.
'The Iranians know very well for whom they have voted and will
neither accept the vote counting charade on (state) television nor
follow those who have come to power with cheating and deception,'
Moussavi said in a statement on his website.
A confidant of Moussavi's said that the fraud was apparent because
the official IRNA news agency knew at about midnight that Ahmadinejad
would remain president, even though the official results were to be
announced on Saturday morning. The source called the counting process
a sham, mere drama.
The other fallout of Ahmadinejad's re-election and the ensuing
violence was that the government clamped down on internet services
and cellphones, with Tehran residents complaining that they were
unable to send or receive SMS. Popular social networking website's
like Facebook were also blocked, as was Moussavi's personal website.
Tehran has witnessed protests before during the student-led riots
of 1999. But these demonstrations of 2009 were more confrontational
and bold. Moussavi said on his website that he wouldn't 'surrender to
the manipulation' - that's what his supporters were also trying to
show.
USA
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