Parliamentary elections end in Iran

Iran's run-off elections have ended after overwhelmed polling stations had forced officials to extend the voting deadline by three hours.

Polling stations closed at 9 pm. The country's Interior Ministry had extended the deadline from 6 pm to 9 pm .

About 21 million Iranians were reportedly eligible to vote in the run-off parliamentary elections, which begun at 8:00 am local time (0330 GMT).

Voters across the country have cast their votes in 54 constituencies in 100 cities.

Supreme Leader Invites Iranians to Take Part in Elections

Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei cast his vote for the 8th Majlis run-off elections on Friday.

According to IRIB World Service, dropping his vote into the ballot box no. 110 at Imam Khomeini Hosseinieh Mosque, Ayatollah Khamenei called for high public turnout in the second phase of the elections and said the run-off stage is as important as the first round which was held nationwide on March 14.

The Supreme Leader said: "The second round of elections is no different from the first one in terms of significance. The same motivation, sensitivity and spirit of responsibility, which led to our presence in polling stations, call on us to come forward this time too and cast our vote into the ballot boxes."

Iran's Supreme Leader hoped that a competent and powerful Majlis will be formed in light of today's polling.

President: Elections Sound, People's Votes Effective

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Friday considered the significance of the run off elections as high as the first round, adding, "Elections are sound and people's votes in them are quite effective." According to IRNA, President Ahmadinejad who was speaking to the press after casting his vote added, "Our people are well aware of how to behave and how to choose, and the people's choice is noble and effective in determining the fate of the country."

He added, "The people's conscious and alert presence at the sensitive phases of the nation's history is a sign of Iranian nation's high intelligence.

"The President reiterated, "The Iranian nation has proved that it is always ready and present at the scene at the sensitive phases of our nation's history, and willing to defend the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic system effectively."

The President referred to holding some 30 nationwide elections in the country ever since the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution, adding, "Our people know how to behave and the world nations, too, have got to realize the collective personality traits of the Iranian nation."