Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said Saturday that the recounting of votes in Florida in the US presidential election has shown US democracy to be inconsistent, in contrast with Iran.
"What is going on in Florida shows that American democracy is inconsistent and that Americans have completely lost their heads," said Rafsanjani, who headed Iran's conservatives in the last parliamentary elections.
"The American regime does not take into consideration the views of its people," Rafsanjani charged.
"The United States postures itself as a model of democracy for the whole world. But fewer than 50 percent of Americans vote, while in (Iran's) Islamic republic, which they call anti-democratic and despotic, there is close to 90 percent participation," he said, cited by the radio.
Rafsanjani made his remarks before worshippers assembled in the holy city of Qom to mark the birthday of the Imam Mahdi, who Shiite Muslims believe is hidden and will reappear as a messiah.
A recount is underway in Florida to determine the outcome of Tuesday's vote between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush, in the closest US presidential election in a century -- TEHRAN (AFP)
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