70 pc turnout expected in Iran poll: supervising official

A member of Iran's Guardians Council -- the body supervising Friday's presidential election -- said voter turnout is expected to be at least 70 per cent.

A member of Iran's Guardians Council -- the body supervising Friday's presidential election -- said voter turnout is expected to be at least 70 per cent.

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"According to what has been seen and the reports we received, it is clear that the participation will be very good and I predict that at least 70 per cent of the people will participate," Mohsen Esmaili told the Mehr news agency.

The election has emerged as a fierce race between incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his main challenger, ex-premier Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Iran has an electorate of 46.2 million.