ایرن‏آن

Leader Praises Iranians' Turnout in Presidential Election

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei lauded the Iranian nation's overwhelming participation in the June 12 presidential election in the country, saying the unprecedented 85% turnout of voters rattled the enemy.
 
 
 

Addressing millions of people in the largest congregational prayers in the post-revolution era in Tehran on Friday, the Supreme Leader said the high turnout in the election, which witnessed more than 40 million Iranians casting their votes, was a great manifestation of people's solidarity with the Islamic establishment.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that last Friday's election indicated a "common sense of responsibility" of the Iranian nation to determine the future of the country, press tv reported.

The Leader added that all those who took part in the election proved their "political consciousness and commitment" towards the establishment to the whole world.

The Leader said the high voter turnout in the election was a "political quake" for the enemy and a "real celebration" for the friends of the country.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will by no means betray the votes of the nation," the Leader said, adding the legal system of the election will not allow any ballot rigging in Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei, however, maintained that the Guardians Council, the body tasked with overseeing the election, would look into the complaints of the candidates who are unhappy with the election results.

The Leader also added that the establishment would never give-in to illegal demands, urging all presidential candidates to pursue their complaints through legal channels.

Ayatollah Khamenei further called for an end to illegal street protests aimed at reversing the result of the election.

Following the announcement of the election outcome, supporters of the defeated candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi-who rejected the election results - took to the streets of Tehran and other cities in daily rallies.

The leader further urged all presidential candidates to be vigilant in the face of what he called enemy plots to sow the seeds of discord among the walks of the nation, warning that enemies are trying to undermine people's trust in the establishment.

The Leader also warned against attempts made by foreign media outlets seeking to destabilize the country and blamed Britain in particular.

President Ahmadinejad was re-elected the next president of the country with over 60% percent of the votes.

He won over his three rivals Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezaei with almost 25 million votes.

The Leader said the time is over for rivalry, stressing that all should unite and line up behind the president-elect.