Iran comes of E-age

E-mails and blogs are also playing a major part for the first time in a country more used to election campaigns that use loudspeakers and gaudy posters.

The Government,whose support base centres on the rural poor,is sending its own texts and e-mails,lauding Ahmadinejads achievements,but is also showing signs of concern.

Hardline supporters of Ahmadinejad have complained about rude jokes on the leader being passed on through SMSs and the official IRNA news agency said the Tehran prosecutors office would crack down on messages offending candidates.

Popular networking site Facebook was shut off on May 23,but the ban was lifted on Tuesday following strong criticism from moderate candidates.