Ahmadinejad set for crushing win in disputed Iran vote

TEHRAN, June 13, 2009 (AFP)

Hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was set for a landslide victory in Iran's presidential race, officials said on Saturday, crushing his moderate rival and Western hopes of change in the Islamic republic.

"Doctor Ahmadinejad, by getting a majority of the votes, has become the definite winner of the 10th presidential election," state news agency IRNA declared as his jubilant supporters took to the streets in celebration.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, Ahmadinejad's main challenger in the most heated election campaign since the Islamic revolution, also declared himself the victor and protested at voting irregularities, suggesting a tense feud ahead.

Ahmadinejad stormed ahead with 65 percent of the vote, more than double the 32 percent for ex-premier Mousavi, with most ballots counted, election commission chief Kamran Daneshjoo said, highlighting the massive turnout.

The international community has been keenly watching the election for any signs of a shift in policy after four years of hardline rhetoric from the 52-year-old Ahmadinejad and a standoff over Iran's nuclear drive.

Mousavi, who was hoping for a political comeback on a groundswell of support among the nation's youth, complained of irregularities in the vote, including a shortage of ballot papers and attacks on his campaign offices.

"In line with the information we have received, I am the winner of this election by a substantial margin," said Mousavi, who had pledged to ease restrictions particularly on women, and fix Iran's ailing economy.

But as the official results showed Ahmadinejad would be back for a second term, his supporters poured on to the streets of Tehran, honking their horns and waving Iranian flags.

"Where are the greens? - in a mousehole," the crowds mocked, referring to the campaign colours of Mousavi, whose supporters thronged the streets in mass rallies during the campaign.

"I am happy that my candidate has won - he helps the poor and he catches the thieves," said sandwich seller Kamra Mohammadi, 22.

The election underscored deep divisions in Iran after four years under Ahmadinejad, who could count on massive support in rural towns and villages, while in the big cities young men and women threw their weight behind Mousavi.