Hardliners win landslide victory in Presidential election

Hardline conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won a landslide victory in Iran's presidential elections, pledging to make Iran a "modern, advanced, powerful and Islamic model for the world." His victory is a shocking blow to Iran's reform movement which was backing ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in the run-off between the two candidates in an unprecedented second round of voting. Rafsanjani was the frontrunner yet outsider Ahmadinejad has confounded political analysts and Iranian commentators by securing victory. It now seems clear that with over 60 percent of the vote, Ahmadinejad's promises to eradicate poverty, solve the housing crisis and tackle corruption struck a chord with Iranian voters. He also gave undertakings to provide more development funds for rural areas, expanded health insurance and establish more social benefits for women. "He was the only candidate who actually talked about my problems," said Reza, a cab driver. "Democracy is all very well but what good is it if you can't put food on the table?" he asked. For many Iranians, unemployment was a key issue. Iran's unofficial unemployment rate is 16 percent but unofficially the level is thought to be it nearer 30 percent. "Ahmadinejad has promised more jobs. We're a rich country, we've got oil, so why are we so poor?" said Keyvan, an unemployed car mechanic. Ahmadinejad's fierce campaigning on domestic issues won votes from the poor, working class and highlights the country's stark class divide. He is seen by many as a figure willing to give assistance to the poor and many of the less well off. He was born the son of a blacksmith and grew up in suburban Tehran in contrast to his opponent, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the son of a wealthy pistachio farmer who is seen as a rich wheeler-dealer. The victory gives conservatives control of the presidency and the parliament, Iran's two highest elected offices. Ahmadinejad's critics fear his fundamental Islamic values may lead to less political freedom. "People who are in the same political circle as Ahmadinejad have been implicated in the closures of newspapers, arrests of journalists and dissidents," said a Tehran-based analyst. There is also a fear that there will be a roll back of the social reforms made under reformist President Khatami's eight year tenure. As Tehran’s mayor, Ahmadinejad, a staunch Islamic revolutionary, is famous for banning advertising hoardings picturing British footballer David Beckham in a drive against corrupting Western influences. He also shut down several cultural centres, turning them into prayer rooms. Some young Iranians say they are scared there may now be a return to the days when petty crimes, such as wearing too much make-up and mixing with the opposite sex, were punishable by flogging and prison sentences. But Ahmadinejad has already promised that he will not roll back social reforms and has said he will not crackdown on 'bad hejab', a term used to describe more revealing headscarves and overcoats - obligatory for all women in public. There have been numerous allegations of vote-rigging and dirty tricks in the poll. During Friday's voting run-off, the reformist-led Interior Ministry reported "interference" at some Tehran polling stations. An Interior Ministry observers' group reported 300 complaints of violations in Tehran. Rafsanjani's aides have also accused Islamic militia of intimidating voters to back Ahmadinejad. In spite of all the accusations, it is generally accepted that even if true, a substantial majority of Iranians voted for Ahmadinejad.