Iran’s 10th Presidential Election on June 12, 2009 has created a rush of adrenaline throughout cities, towns, and villages all across the country. Streets are painted with political fervor, excitement, and beyond all hope. As Election Day draws closer Iran’s political climate is getting more charged, with presumptions of behind-the-scenes rigging.
According to Aftab News, on Thursday June 11, 2009 at 11 PM–only 9 hours before the start of polling–, Ahmadinejad’s government commanded the banning of SMS messages. It is believed that these measures were taken to restrain and limit the digital space for the supporters of the leading reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi. In response to this ban Hojatoleslam Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, the head of the Committee for the Protection of Votes has submitted a complaint to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology demanding an immediate resolution to the instability in the country’s wireless phone systems. Mohtashamipour argues that such conditions prohibit communication amongst the representatives monitoring the fairness of elections at different polling stations. These events occur in the backdrop of a heated presidential race that can serve as a tipping point for the future of Iran and its 66 million citizens.
–Negar Mortazavi
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