Rumors of an Iranian landslide

[OKNancy]

Thanks to flpoljunkie for the first post in GDP. This is an update


http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/updates-on-irans-presidential-election/


Update | 12:22 p.m. My colleague in Tehran, Nazila Fathi, writes that the turnout is feeding rumors in Tehran that a landslide may be if the offing. Here’s her report for The Lede:

Iranians went to the polls in large numbers Friday, prompting speculations that the large turnout could help moderate politician, Mir Hussein Moussavi, sweep to a landslide victory.

For many voters the choice was between incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mr. Moussavi. Two other candidates, a former speaker of Parliament, Mehdi Karoubi, and a former head of the revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaee, were also in the race. But Mr. Moussavi’s campaign had staged massive street rallies in Tehran and other large cities in the past week. He promised more social and political freedom, a better economy and better relations with the world.

Voters showed up at the polls today at early hours immediately after they opened at 8 a.m. local time. Many carried pens with them because of a widely circulated text message that urged supporters of Mr. Moussavi to write with their own pens. The message said that the ink used in the pens at the polling station could get wiped out. The government cut off text-messaging service today because of such rumors.

more at the link