Some 69 per cent of the electorate took part in the polls. Partial results put front-runner Rafasanjani in the lead with 20.7 per cent, followed by Conservative Ahmadinejad at 19.4 per cent. Controversy between Interior Ministry and Guardian Council over final outcome breaks out in the open.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – About 69 per cent of the electorate—or 32 million out of a total of 47 million eligible voters—cast their ballots to choose Iran's next president, according to the Interior Ministry. Voters will have to do it all over again next Friday though, June 24, because none of the seven candidates obtained the 50 per cent support needed to win the election.

Dissidents and students failed in their call for a boycott in protest against the Guardian Council barring of women and many reformists.

The vote count shows that Akbar Hashemi Rafasanjani, who was seen as the favourite in the race to succeed Mohammed Khatami, failed in getting a 50 per cent majority. Five of the seven candidates are divided by just a few points.

The Guardian Council, a conservative body that oversaw the elections, released its partial results. With about 80 per cent of the 32 million ballots counted, Rafsanjani held 20.7 per cent.

Next Friday's run-off will be the first in the history of the Islamic Republic since it was founded in 1979.

The former President could face off conservative challenger Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has 19.4 per cent. Reformist Mehdi Karroubi still has some hopes with 17.3 per cent of support. Another conservative, former police Chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, follows with 14.2 per cent almost even with former Education Minister Mustafa Moin's 14.1 per cent. Until now, Moin was seen as Rafsanjani's main contender.

As for the remaining two, conservative Ali Lariani held 5.4 per cent, whilst reformist Mohsen Mehralizadeh came in last with 4.5 per cent.

The announcement of results has caused some controversy and forced outgoing President Mohammad Khatami to intervene.

Interior Ministry officials criticised the Guardian Council for releasing the results, claiming that the responsibility fell within its prerogatives.

President Khatami tried to put an end to the whole thing by saying that the "next official results will be released by the Ministry and the Council will not make any further announcements".

Officials at the Interior Ministry viewed the Guardian Council's announcement has a manoeuvre by the members of the clerical body to favour ultra-conservative candidate Ahmadinejad.

• iran
• elections
• run-off
• june
• 17
• 2005
• reforms
• democracy
• islam