Ahmadinejad Wins Dubious Election

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been re-elected president of Iran by a surprisingly wide majority, according to the country’s electoral commission. But his main rival also claimed victory and said, “I will not surrender to this dangerous charade.” The BBC reports that official figures show Ahmadinejad winning even in his opponent’s territory and among reformist voters.

BBC:

The BBC’s Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says the result has been greeted with surprise and with deep scepticism by many Iranians.

The figures, if they are to be believed, show Mr Ahmedinejad winning strongly even in the heartland of Mr Mousavi, the main opposition contender.

The scale of Mr Ahmadinejad’s win means that many people who voted for a reformist candidate in the previous presidential election four years ago have apparently switched their votes to Mr Ahmadinejad, he adds.

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AP photo / Iranian Students News Agency / Arash Khamushi

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greets supporters before casting his ballot in Friday’s presidential elections.