First Round of Iran’s Presidential Elections Inconclusive
Turnout Stronger than Expected
The Presidential elections in Iran produced a messy result that will require a run-off between the two top candidates. The final outcome won’t be clear until Saturday afternoon at least, but it seems that former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani will be one of the two.
Turnout was about 60 percent, better than expected. That is slightly bigger than the turnout in Iraq’s recent elections.
The problem for voters seeking genuine change is that the hardline clerics have found ways to blunt progressive movements. It remains to be seen if a new president will be able to outmaneuver them. The Iranian public appears to be voting for candidates with strong personalities who might be able to accomplish something nevertheless.