Ahmadinejad's re-election plunges Iran into crisis (News Feature)

By Farshid Motahari Jun 14, 2009, 0:56 GMT

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.