Conservatives set to win as voting begins in Iran's election
Friday, 14 Mar 2008 08:00
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in expected to hold onto his majority in parliament
Iran In Focus
If the US public is aware of the extent to which the White House was interfering in the internal affairs of Tehran in an attempt to topple the Iranian government, they would demand an immediate change in policy. Full Story
Voting has begun in Iran's parliamentary election, which is expected to be won by conservatives and allies of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The polls opened at 08:00 local time (04:30 GMT) today with the country's official radio station claiming: "Today, the Iranian nation once again will show its political maturity."
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei effectively gave his backing to Mr Ahmadinejad as he cast his vote earlier today and urged others to do the same.
"For our country and our nation it is a sensitive day and a sensitive moment that will determine the [nation's] fate," he said.
Some 4,500 candidates nationwide are running for the 290 seats in Iran's parliament, with an estimate 44 million Iranians over the age of 18 eligible to vote.
A large number of reformists were barred from running in the election by the Guardian Council, a move that will help Mr Ahmadinejad hold onto his majority in parliament.
The reformists had hoped to capitalise on public discontent at the country's inflation which currently stands at 19 per cent.
Even if the conservatives achieve the victory that is widely expected, experts believe that Mr Ahmadinejad's next parliament will be less willing to allow him to do as he pleases.
Many in the country's parliament are now believed to be critical of his economic policies.