May 12, 2009

A recent poll shows the Iranian president's popularity has grown among the electorate, while support for his rival, Mir-Hossein Mousavi has remained unchanged.

The opinion poll was conducted in Tehran as well as 29 other provincial capitals and 32 important cities on May 3-4.

The poll indicates that 58.6% will cast their ballots in favor of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, while some 21.9% will vote for Mousavi, the pro-administration website, Rajanews, reported.

A government survey carried out this month showed that Ahmadinejad had the support of 53.6% of the participants. The figure released for Mousavi, however, was virtually the same.

In the more recent poll, 44.8% of respondents in the capital, Tehran said that given a choice of Ahmadinejad or Mousavi, they would opt for the Principlist president while some 29% said they would pick Mousavi.

The report did not include any further details about the organization that conducted the poll or the number of people who were surveyed.