Networking sites back in action for Iranian vote

The social networking websites which helped mobilise anti-regime protests in 2009 are buzzing again — this time urging Iranians to be sure to vote today when Iran elects a new president.

“I will vote,” wrote Rahele, a pro-reform voter, on her Facebook page. “Even if there only exists a one per cent chance that my vote will be counted, and even if I will have to choose between the worse and the worst, I will vote.”

Today’s election is the first since 2009 when the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sparked massive anti-regime street protests after his opponents alleged widescale voting fraud.