VOA标准英语2009-Iranians Vote Absentee in London

They might be thousands of kilometers from home, but Iranians living in the United Kingdom are still taking part in their country's presidential election.
　
A queue of people wait to vote outside the Iranian Consulate 1 in London as protesters wave banners, 12 Jun 2009

As voters across Iran cast their ballots 2 in the country's presidential election, many Iranians living in London wanted to make their voices heard also.

At the Iranian consulate, the line to the polls is spilling out on to the street. Shirin Saeidi, a student at Cambridge University, joined the crowd. She said she is excited about women's participation 3 and wants change in Iran.

"What I am supporting is a new vision," said Saeidi. "The wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi made a statement. She stated that she hopes the excitement and the participation of Iranian people in this election repeats and repeats and repeats for every election. So, I'm coming for that vision."
　
Main challenger and reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, speaks on the final day of election rallies, in Buroujerd, Lorestan province, Iran, 10 Jun 2009

Many others waiting in line at the polls said they are also voting for change in Iran. Of those opposed to current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the majority seemed to be in favor of former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi.

"I support Mousavi," said a voter. "You know that now, you can see in media in our country everything has changed, and everybody wants to vote to change everything. We hope actually."

"I'm going to vote for Mousavi. It's just because I don't want Ahmadinejad to be our president again. That's all," said another one.

"I think he can support Iran and give Iran a bright future," said the other. "If you look at Tehran now and watch all these videos, there are so many people just showing their support for him. He has a lot of supporters, both young and old."
　
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepares to address thousands of supporters as he gives his final election campaign rally, in western Tehran, 10 Jun 2009

But still others said the current conservative president is deserving of a second term in office. One man was confident in his choice.

"Mr. Ahmadenijad. Because his result is good for me and for my country I think. I am sure he is winning," he said.

In the days leading up to the election, the four presidential hopefuls have traded insults and accused one another of corruption 4. Some Iranians came to the London voting sites in protest of all the presidential candidates. One man named Tohid joined a group shouting outside the consulate in support of Iran's communist party. He said he would not vote in the election because he believes politics in Iran are corrupt 5.

"They are interested to change the previous president and bring in a new one, but that doesn't have any point," said Tohid. "Because the system is ruined. When the system is ruined, what's the point of changing the president? I am interested to change the government completely.

Whether they were casting their ballots or shouting in the streets, most of the Iranians at the four polling stations in London called for some form of change from this election.

The election results are expected to be announced Saturday. But if no candidate wins an outright 6 majority, the two leaders will face each other in a runoff vote on June 19.