(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Canada believe the most recent presidential ballot in Iran was not free and fair, according to as poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 44 per cent of respondents believe the election was completely fraudulent and that the opposition won, while 25 per cent claim there were major irregularities, but the president would have been re-elected anyway.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Canada believe the most recent presidential ballot in Iran was not free and fair, according to as poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 44 per cent of respondents believe the election was completely fraudulent and that the opposition won, while 25 per cent claim there were major irregularities, but the president would have been re-elected anyway.
Iran’s presidential election took place on Jun. 12. Official results gave incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a victory with 62.63 per cent of the vote, followed by reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi with 33.75 per cent.
Mousavi rejected the published numbers, calling them a "dangerous charade." Thousands of Mousavi supporters, wearing green clothes, have taken to the streets to protest the outcome since the day after the election. The demonstrations have spread to practically all major cities.
Iran’s true head of state—the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—first called the re-election of Ahmadinejad a "massive success" and a "divine blessing", but later agreed to a partial recount of the vote. On Jun. 20, Khamenei said that public demonstrations are "not acceptable" and that opposition leaders would be "held responsible for chaos" if they fail to end the protests.
On Jun. 22, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper issued a statement, which read: "The [Iranian] regime has chosen to use brute force and intimidation in responding to peaceful opposition regarding legitimate and serious allegations of electoral fraud. Basic human rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, are being ignored."
Polling Data
From what you have seen, read or heard, which of the following statements comes closest to your own point of view of the most recent presidential election in Iran?
|
I believe the most recent presidential election in Iran was completely fraudulent, and that the opposition won |
44% |
|
I believe there were major irregularities in Iran’s presidential election, but the president would have been re-elected anyway |
25% |
|
I believe there were some minor problems in Iran’s presidential election, which are normal for any democratic process |
2% |
|
I believe there were no irregularities in Iran’s presidential election, and the results should be considered as valid |
0% |
|
Not sure |
28% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,009 Canadian adults, conducted on Jun. 22 and Jun. 23, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
