Limited recount possible in Iran’s disputed vote

Iran’s powerful Guardian Council is ready to recount specific ballot boxes in last week’s disputed presidential elections,a council spokesman said on Tuesday,another twist in an election that has touched off widespread protests. State television quoted Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei as saying that the recount would be limited to voting sites where candidates claim irregularities took place. It was not clear which or how many voting sites would be affected. The results from last Friday’s election showing a landslide victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sparked Tehran’s worst violence in 10 years–including seven reportedly killed on Monday during clashes.

Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi claim the vote was rigged to re-elect the hardline president. The 12-member Guardian Council includes clerics and experts in Islamic law. It’s role includes certifying election results,and it is closely allied to Iran’s supreme leader,Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It serves as a constitutional watchdog and vets candidates running in elections. It must certify ballot results and also has the apparent authority to nullify an election.