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More than 64pc voted in Iran poll

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"Based on the preliminary estimate, participation nationwide stands at 64.2 percent, but this figure is not final," Mostafa Mohammad Najar told the state broadcaster.

Participation in legislative polls normally varies between 50% and 70%. The figure stood at 55.4% in the last election in 2008, according to official figures.

Mohammad Najar said that so far 135 candidates have won seats in the 290-member parliament, with results in larger constituencies expected by Monday.

The Islamic republic's ruling conservatives predicted a massive turnout in Friday's election despite a boycott by a large part of the reformist opposition.

The interior minister said turnout stood at 48 percent in the capital, up from 30 percent in the 2008 legislative poll.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2012