Ups and Downs Of Iranian Election

Publius Pundit has the real story on the recent Iranian election, and this is it:



No one is showing up to vote. This photo, taken in Tabriz, is indicative of voter response in a country that is disgusted with its leadership and its lack of options at the polls.

The Western media is ignoring the story, pretending that Iran is a democracy of sorts. Why? Laziness? Fear? Unwilling to criticize a fellow Bush-hater?

Its difficult to confirm the articles referenced by Publius, but the media runs with unconfirmed anti-Bush stories with regularity. So how can they ignore stuff like this?

Millions of Iranians have boycotted the sham run off elections of the Islamic regime despite the clerics’ tactic of creating fear among the population. The rejection of the regime and its totality is so massive that even the joker card of Islamic republic “AhmadiNejad” was not able to boost the quote of an already discredited Rafsnajani.

In Tehran which has over 14 millions of inhabitants, the regime had to close down several ballot boxes, installed last week, and to consolidate them in order to be able to offer a better show to foreign reporters in the Capital. Same trend has been reported from cities, such as, Tabriz, Esfahan, Mashad, Amol, Zahedan, Abadan, Ahwaz, Khorram-Abad, Mashad, Hamedan, Kermanshah and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e).

Most of the few voters are members of security forces and their families, some governmental employees, paid voters and even well recognized prostitutes transformed into pro-Rafsanjani cheerleaders and supporters.

Rumors about the use of mentally health interned individuals ID cards are spread across Iran.

Update: A different point of view at today's State Dept. press briefing:

QUESTION: The Iranian election, again. Still. They say voting has been extended, so many people are lining up. So I just wondered if this indicates at least the Iranian people feel like they have a choice since you have said that the United States doesn't think they do.

MR. ERELI: Well, the United States thinks that the choice has been severely restricted, to the point that it doesn't represent -- to the extent that it's not a fair representation of the desires of the Iranian people. But as far as comment on the voting process that's underway today, it's ongoing. I don't have the latest facts and details. And, you know, it's something that, before commenting on, we'd want to see what happens.