Hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeated moderate challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi by a surprisingly wide margin in Iran’s presidential election, official results showed on Saturday. Mousavi derided the tally as a “dangerous charade.”

Here are some analysts’ views on the outcome of Friday’s vote:

KARIM SADJAPOUR, ANALYST AT CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE:

“I don’t think anyone anticipated this level of fraudulence. This was a selection, not an election. At least authoritarian regimes like Syria and Egypt have no democratic pretences. In retrospect it appears this entire campaign was a show: (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei wasn’t ever going to let Ahmadinejad lose.”

ALIREZA NADER, RAND CORPORATION:

“Ahmadinejad has of course won the election. What is surprising is his share of the vote — 64 percent according to some estimates. The opposition in Iran may protest this election as being fraudulent. Mousavi’s supporters were hopeful that he had a great chance of winning and that his presidency would lead to much needed reforms. Their enthusiasm may turn into frustration, and perhaps even active opposition against the government. Although the president is not the chief decision-maker, Ahmadinejad’s win is a sign that Iranian politics is in stage of flux.
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MARK FITZPATRICK, SENIOR FELLOW FOR NON-PROLIFERATION AT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES IN LONDON:

“I’m surprised at the regime’s audacity in declaring such a large margin for Ahmadinejad, given that in the run-up, the momentum seemed to be in the other direction. The hardliners in the regime seem to have exercised all their levers of power to keep Ahmadinejad in place. Undoubtedly, one of the key reasons was their concern about losing control of the country through policies such as willingness to engage with the United States.

Born TX 1944, Wellesley '66, Capitol Hill legislative aide to Sen. Ralph W. Yarborough where worked in environmental leg., on first bill to give federal protection to endangered species and preservation of Padre Island and Guadalupe Mts., raised family in Montgomery County, MD, managed a few campaigns for MD legislatures, worked as legislative aide to Del. Gene Counihan, received MD Arts Council award for playwriting, worked on advisory bd to D.C. New Playwrights' Theatre, plays produced there and at National Theatre Monday Night local program, articles in Equus and VA Country magazines, then ran away and joined circus, where managed Misty Family Pony Farm in Chincoteague, VA, now retired in N.TX. near Lake Texoma, blogging, gardening (including small but dedicated veggie patch), travelling, working in congressional campaign for 4th district seat in House for Dr. Glenn Melancon. Ruth blogs at Cab Drollery.