Mousavi: Cancel results
Photo: AP
Karroubi: Ahmadinejad not president
Photo: AP
Iran: Reformists want vote annulled
Ahmadinejad rivals Mousavi, Karroubi say they will file an appeal to annul 'illegitimate' results of nationwide election
Defeated reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi announced Sunday afternoon that he has filed an appeal to have the results of the nationwide Iranian elections annulled. Mousavi also called on his supporters to refrain from violence while protesting.
In a statement published on his website, Mousavi said the annulment of the results was "the only way to restore public trust and national support of the government". According to Iranian law, the results can be appealed within the three day period following the vote.
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The statement said Mousavi had requested permission from state authorities to organize marches in all the country's major cities in order "to give the people a chance to express their objection to the manner in which the voting was held."
Mehdi Karroubi, another reformist candidate who had received less than one percent of the vote, also announced that he would appeal the results.
He said the results were not legitimate and that the new government would not enjoy the support of the nation. "I don't recognize Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the president of Iran," Karroubi said.
"The illegal show put on by Ahmadinejad today, who declared himself president before the results were confirmed and the complaints checked, is just another step in this ridiculous display."
Like Mousavi, Karroubi called on his followers to maintain the peace in their show of support. "In light of your avid participation in the elections you can be sure that your candidates will not cede their rights or yours," he said.
Both reformists also condemned the government's attempt at disrupting cellular phone service, internet websites, and newspaper distribution during recent days.
