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    March 03, 2012

Ahmadinejad Rivals Lead in Parliamentary Vote

   VOA News
   Torn electoral posters are seen on a wall in central Tehran, March 3,
   2012. Photo: Reuters
   Torn electoral posters are seen on a wall in central Tehran, March 3,
   2012.

   Partial results from Iran's parliamentary elections show loyalist
   supporters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei have taken the lead.
   Early returns from provincial towns Saturday show conservative rivals
   of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad winning seats in several
   constituencies across the country.
   State media estimate the turnout at more than 65 percent of the
   country's 48 million eligible voters.
   The election will have little impact on Iran's foreign or nuclear
   polices, but will strengthen Khamenei's position ahead of next years
   presidential election.
   The vote is seen as a limited test of Iran's political climate as the
   country's main opposition and reformist groups boycotted Friday's
   election, the first since the disputed 2009 presidential vote. Final
   results are expected early next week.
   Some 3,400 candidates ran for seats in the 290-member parliament. Among
   the candidates was Ahmadinejad's sister, Parvin Ahmadinejad, who failed
   to secure a seat in their hometown, Garmsar.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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