Live Blog: Iran Votes For President

Reactions from Radio Farda listeners calling from different cities in Iran:

"My name is Mohammad. Certainly, Mr. [Hassan] Rohani win will the election, we are very happy now. Today is Saturday, and we’re going to celebrate."

"I’m Amin from the city of Bandar Abbas. Many people voted for [Hassan] Rohani here.Whoever I met, I told them to vote for Rohani because he is better than [Mohammad Baqer] Qalibaf. But only half of the people who voted in the past election came to vote this time. If the next president were to improve things it would be nice. Otherwise they should not expect anyone to show up to vote in the next election."

"I’m a Radio Farda listener. I’ve been sitting here and listening to the developments since the morning. I voted for [Hassan] Rohani. I hope, he gets office and works to bring the country out of crisis."

"I’m calling from Mashhad. Although I’m not allowed to talk to foreign media, I would like to say that until yesterday we thought that our votes wouldn’t count. But today I can say with all certainty that we are a democratic society, and our votes will be counted, and will be heard."

"If there is a second round, we will vote for [Hassan] Rohani again."

Jokes are flying among fun-loving Iranians about the delay in the announcement of the official results of the vote. Only partial results have been announced so far. Meanwhile the state television has been airing programs that are unrelated to the vote including a show on zombies and a discussion on pancreas cancer. Many are impatiently waiting. Here is what a Tehran based pro-reform journalist wrote on Facebook: [Authorities] are not used to counting votes, that's why it's taking them so long."

#Iran interior minister: many ballots counted but "accuracy should not be compromised for speed" #IranElection

— Mohammad Davari (@modavari) June 15, 2013

Still trying to figure out how it takes 7 hours too count 800,000 votes? 4 years ago the whole thing was over in a couple of hrs #Iran

— Reza H. Akbari (@rezahakbari) June 15, 2013

#Iran conservatives failed to unite behind a single candidate as a result their vote is split.Aref's withdrawal was smart move #Iranelection

— Golnaz Esfandiari (@GEsfandiari) June 15, 2013

Rohani has a strong lead according to the first official results announced by the interior minister. #Iran #Iranelection

— Golnaz Esfandiari (@GEsfandiari) June 15, 2013

Speaking on state TV, Iran's Interior Minister announced, based on the results of 800,000 votes that Rohani is leading with about 400,000 of the votes, next is Qalibaf with some 12,5000, and Jalili is third with about 12,000 votes. Rezai came fourth according to the partial results announced by the interior minister, followed by Velayati and Gharazi.

My prayers are with the people of Iran as they await imminent announcement of the result of today's poll.

— ahmed shaheed (@ahmedshaheed) June 15, 2013

Granddaughter of Aya Khomeini on Facebook:according 2 reliable but unconfirmed news:Rohani definite winner of 1st round #Iran #Iranelection

— Golnaz Esfandiari (@GEsfandiari) June 15, 2013

#Iran: A V reliable source in Isfahan: Rouhani is on the 49-50% mark. And even Ghalibaf has said that they shouldn't push it to a run off.

— Bahman Kalbasi (@BahmanKalbasi) June 15, 2013