Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi here Saturday hailed massive public participation in the 10th presidential election, and described it as "unprecedented", Fars News Agency reported.
"People's presence in the election was unprecedented, although we had witnessed massive turnouts in previous elections" too, Qashqavi said, stressing that the spirited participation of the Iranians in the election indicated the nation's awareness and responsibility for determining the country's fate.
He further said that the rate of participation of Iranian expatriates in the election has shown a 300% growth, and added, "Such participation took place through the proper measures adopted by the foreign ministry, ambassadors, and consuls abroad."
The spokesman reiterated that a majority of Iranians are always eager to participate in determining their country's fate and that the high rate of public participation in the election vindicated the very same fact.
Voters in Tehran and other cities across the country started casting their ballots at 8 am local time (3:30 GMT) on Friday. Voting lasted 10 hours and polls were supposed to close at 6pm, but massive public turnout made officials extend voting hours.
Iranian Interior Ministry extended voting time for four hours after reports said that a large number of the people nationwide were still standing in long queues to cast their votes.
Meantime, the Guardians Council spokesman announced Saturday that according to the latest figures, over 85% of the Iranian nationals eligible to vote have participated in the country's 10th presidential election.
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