Leader hails record turnout in presidential vote

Leader hails record turnout in presidential vote
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has hailed the high voter turnout in Iran, calling on the entire nation to support the president-elect in achieving his mandate.

Speaking one day after Super Friday when more than 32 million people cast their votes in the country's 10th presidential election, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei congratulated the nation on their massive turnout.

"The participation of over 80 percent of Iranians at the polls and the 24-million votes cast is a cause for true celebration and god willing this will ensure the continuation of the country's progress and the maintenance of national security," Ayatollah Khamenei said in statement.

Friday's election witnessed incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad win 24.5 million of the votes -- nearly 62 percent.

Mir-Hossein Moussavi came second with 13.2 million votes, followed by Mohsen Rezaei with more than 630 thousand votes and Mehdi Karroubi with 320 thousand votes.

"The spirit of calm presented by the nation, in the face of enemy propaganda and the nation's mass participation was such that makes it indescribable in words," the Leader added.

The president-elect is the president of the entire Iranian nation and even those who were his rivals yesterday must now support and aid him, as this is a divine test for us all, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Supreme Leader Hails Iran's Democratic Electoral System

TEHRAN (FNA)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei lauded the democratic system of holding elections in Iran, saying people's vote is of paramount importance and plays the main role in the Islamic Republic's election system.


Addressing thousands of people at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Supreme Leader also called for a massive turnout in the upcoming presidential election, and said all the people should make efforts to protect the Islamic Revolution and thwart enemies' plots to portray Iran's elections as undemocratic.

He also cautioned the presidential candidates against slandering each other in election campaigns and debates to garner support of the people.

The 10th Presidential Election in Iran is due to be held on June 12. Four applicants have qualified to stand the upcoming presidential election, including incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi Khamene, ex-Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi and Principlist politician and former chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai Mir-Qaed.

The candidates officially started their campaign on May 22, which will last for 20 days.

The Iranian interior ministry has said the final results of the presidential election will be declared a day after the event, i.e. June 13.

Iranian officials have said that 46.2 million Iranians are eligible to vote.

After debate, Leader warns against rival defamation

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution warns presidential hopefuls against resorting to defamation strategies to 'prove' themselves for the presidential post.

Addressing crowds at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei raised the issue of character assassination in relation to the June 12 presidential election.

"It is not decent for a [presidential] hopeful to resort to slandering another candidate in a speech or a debate to prove himself," the Leader said on Thursday, after two presidential candidates held a controversial debate late on Wednesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called upon the masses to go to the polls in large numbers to thwart efforts aimed at portraying Iran's elections as undemocratic, adding that all should work toward the protection of the Islamic Revolution.

The Leader noted that Iran enjoys a democratic electoral system, which puts the votes of the Iranian nation first.

With only one week left before the presidential election, hopefuls are doing their best to garner support by taking part in speeches and rallies, as well as televised debates.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the last prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi held the second face-off among candidates on Wednesday to defend their policies.

During the 90-minute debate, the two contenders exchanged criticism over various issues including foreign policy and economic management.

Ahmadinejad took a swipe at two former presidents Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, accusing them of masterminding a plot to push him out of power.

Ahmadinejad underlined what he believed were examples of mismanagement and corruption during those two presidents' administrations.

He also claimed that Rafsanjani had promised the fall of his new government to Saudi Arabia after he lost the 2005 election to Ahmadinejad.

In response, Mousavi attacked Ahmadinejad for accusing people who were not represented in the debate. He said the tactic was adopted by the incumbent President because Ahmadinejad had not found anything against him.

Mousavi brought into question Ahmadinejad's foreign and economic policies, saying that his denial of the Holocaust had resulted in dire consequences for the country.

President Ahmadinejad's attacks were not limited to former presidents. He also accused the two other presidential hopefuls -- Mohsen Rezaei and Mehdi Karroubi -- of trying to downplay his government's achievements, saying there have been massive plots underway against this government.