Elections opened yesterday in Iran to elect a successor to President Khatami, who cannot run for a third consecutive term.
Of 68 million Iranians, almost 47 million are over the age of 15 and so eligible to vote at more than 40,000 polling stations throughout the country until 7:30pm.
However, it was expected that the voting period would be extended for three more hours.
PHOTO: AP
Due to the recent spate of bombings, more than 20,000 police were on hand to provide security at the polling stations.
The interior ministry said that the army and the air force would aid the police on election day.
According to the latest police report, no incidents were registered in the country in the first three hours of the elections.
Iranian police Chief Morteza Talaie said yesterday that his forces were in full control of security.
Iran's intelligence chief Ali Yunessi told state television that the reports he has so far gained from Tehran and the provinces indicate that "there is an unpredictable enthusiasm among the people."
European diplomats who are in Tehran have been allowed by the interior ministry to visit some of the polling stations, said that the turnout so far was beyond their expectations.
President Khatami yesterday expressed hope that the new Iranian president would be elected in the first round with no need for a second one.
Khatami told reporters after casting his vote in Tehran that the Interior Ministry was however prepared to hold the second round if necessary as scheduled on June 24.
The president further said that elections are the most suitable platform for the people to involve themselves in state decisions and called on the people to avail themselves of this democratic opportunity.
Due to the tight security, Khatami's voting venue was changed from a polling station in northern Tehran to the election headquarters in the interior ministry.
Meanwhile, the leading candidate Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani yesterday predicted a victory for himself in the first round.
Talking to reporters after casting his vote in Tehran, Rafsanjani doubted that the elections would reach the second round.
The favorites among the seven candidates are the moderate cleric Rafsanjani, reformist Mostafa Moein and the conservative ex-police chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Qalibaf told reporters he believes a second round of voting will be necessary.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday that every vote cast will strengthen the country's Islamic establishment.
Khamenei, one of the first Iranians to go to the polls, said that the votes would also discourage "our enemies" who try to persuade world public opinion that Islam and democracy are not compatible.
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