   iran's ninth presidential election took place in two rounds, the first on 17 june 2005, the run-off on 24 june. mohammad khatami, the previous president of iran, stepped down on 2 august 2005, after serving his maximum two consecutive four-year terms according to the islamic republic's constitution. the election led to the victory of mahmoud ahmadinejad, the hardline mayor of tehran, with 19.48% of the votes in the first round and 61.69% in the second. factors thought to have contributed to ahmadinejad's victory include mobilization of mosque networks and conservative/hardline voters, and a protest vote against corrupt elite insiders and for 'new political blood' .wright, robin, dreams and shadows : the future of the middle east, penguin press, 2008, p.317-8 a loyal supporter of conservative supreme leader khamenei, ahmadinejad kissed the leader's hand during his authorization ceremony.  http://tofoiran.packdeal.com/clips/driman/20060906-driman-cnn-225.asx officials reported a turnout of about 59% of iran's 47 million eligible voters, a decline from the 63% turnout reported in the first round of balloting a week before.hard-liner wins decisively in iran presidential election by john daniszewski  25 june 2005 in print edition a-1 ==schedule== schedule of the election had been decided between the ministry of interior and the guardian council for 17 june 2005. the election will continue as a runoff race, which will take place a week later than the first round of elections, on 24 june 2005. the registration of candidates began on 10 ma
2005_elections_in_Asia 2005_in_Iran Elections_in_Iran