IRANIAN ELECTION UPDATE:

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says there were widespread complaints of security forces and other arms of the government improperly interfering in the first round of voting.

He said many candidates, including all women, were barred by Iran’s Guardian Council from running. Many more potential candidates were deterred from participating by the election procedures.

Media accounts seem to be parroting Iranian reports of large turnout, though Publius reports that turnout was very small.