Ahmadinejad accused of trying to buy votes in Iran

Gov't distributing checks for $50 and $100 to students, teachers and poor families in mostly rural areas and small towns.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ahmadinejad shouts 248.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Ahmadinejad shouts 248.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's challengers have accused him of trying to buy votes ahead of the June 12 election by handing out checks to the poor. The government is distributing checks for 500,000 and 1 million rials ($50 and $100) to students, teachers and poor families in mostly rural areas and small towns. But it denies the handouts are related to the election. Leading reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, said Tuesday that the payments were an affront to the dignity of Iranians. Conservative challenger Mohsen Rezaei said the president should create jobs for the young instead of giving out state funds. Ahmadinejad faces a tough challenge in the race. His popularity is declining and he is blamed for the country's economic troubles.