High Voter Turnout in Close Iranian Presidential Election

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JUDY WOODRUFF:

Voting hours were extended in Iran today, as long lines formed outside polling stations. There were predictions of close to 80 percent turnout in the closely-fought presidential election. And both President Ahmadinejad and his main challenger were each already claiming victory. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News begins our lead story coverage.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, whatever happens, he holds the most power in the country. But he says it's the people's religious duty to vote as they see fit. He posted his slip in ballot box number one. He's clearly well-aware of what's been happening out on the streets.

translator):

AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI, supreme leader, Iran (through I want to thank the people for their passion and enthusiasm. In the last few days, they went out onto the streets shouting slogans for their candidates. They behaved wisely and didn't allow anything bad to happen.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

The president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was also up early to vote, his supporters all around him. He faces three challengers and has to get 50 percent of the poll to avoid a run-off.

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, president, Iran (through translator): I cordially thank the great Iranian people for all their goodness, magnanimity and sacrifices.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

In this mosque in a conservative part of Tehran, the turnout was high, as it seems to have been all over Iran. Although there are four candidates, the election has turned into a fierce fight between two, the president and a former prime minister, the reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mr. Mousavi went to the polls with his wife, who's played a major role in his campaign. He's said he fears that the organs of the state, including the Revolutionary Guard, may rig the vote in favor of President Ahmadinejad.

Candidate (through translator):

MIR HOSSEIN MOUSAVI, Iranian Reformist Presidential The important point is that I have promised the people to secure their votes. My campaign team and I will remain awake until end of voting, and we demand that the election executives keep the votes safe.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

In the Husseini Mosque in central Tehran, Iran's foreign minister wasn't about to tell me his intentions.

MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI, foreign minister, Iran: Vote is a personal choice, and that's why I will vote to whom I like to.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

Reformists in the voting queue were more forthcoming.

MASSOUMEH EBTEKAR, former vice president, Iran: Well, I think that what happened during the past 20 days is an awakening for the Iranian society, and there's no turning back on that point, the awakening for the young people. The young people expressed their views, and it's quite evident what they want, what they expect. The majority — it's quite evident where the majority stand today.

EBRAHIM YAZDI, reformist:

If the process of election goes well in a normal way, even if Ahmadinejad is elected, it's one thing. But I'm afraid that they will intervene, they will change the ballots and so on and so on. So, and I'm afraid that there will be a severe violent reaction from the youth.

LINDSEY HILSUM:

As polls drew to a close, representatives of both main candidates were claiming their man was ahead.