Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has praised the mass participation of the Iranian nation in the country's 9th legislative elections, saying the move has dismayed the enemies and the ill-wishers of the Islamic Revolution, Press TV repoted.
The vigorous participation of the Iranian people from all walks of life in the elections demonstrates their firm determination and strong belief in the elevated thoughts and ideals of the Islamic Revolution, Iranian president said on Sunday.
He added that the Iranians have constantly safeguarded the ideals of the Islamic Revolution through their presence at different scenes and noted that they once again displayed their full support for the Islamic establishment.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry also pointed to the high turnout of the Iranians in the parliamentary elections and urged the so-called advocates of human rights to accept the realities of the Islamic Republic and bow in respect before the nation.
In a statement, the ministry said the devoted Iranian nation proved that despite plots, pressures, sanctions and propaganda by arrogant powers, it strongly defends its sovereignty and interests by maintaining its presence in social and political scenes at the current juncture.
The Iranian people will firmly proceed on their path to growth, it added.
The statement also emphasized that those who claim to defend democracy in the world should accept the political and social realities of Iran as the cradle of civilization and culture, as well as religious democracy in the region.
Early vote counts from Friday's Majlis elections in Iran show that more than 64 percent of some 48 million eligible voters cast their ballots in Iran's 9th parliamentary elections, with 75 percent of the candidates from the Principlist camp securing the Majlis seats.
Edited by: S. Isayev