(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-19 23:54

TEHRAN  -- Iran's reformists have called for a recount of the ballots cast in Tehran in the parliamentary elections, the state-owned Press TV satellite channel reported on Wednesday.

Former Iranian president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami and former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi, who is head of Iran's reformist National Confidence Party, sent a letter to the Guardian Council and asked for a recount of Tehran votes in the presence of candidates.

The reformists also expressed hope that the newly elected representatives would use this opportunity in the eighth Parliament to serve their country and nation.

The Iranian Interior Ministry's election headquarters announced Monday evening that conservatives took 19 of the 30 seats available in Tehran, and the 11 others would be decided in the upcoming run-offs.

According to the Interior Ministry, the results of the March 14 parliament elections show 71 percent of the conservatives have secured seats in the parliament.

The Iranian reformist camp, founded by Khatami, consists of two major groups -- the Reformist Coalition and the National Confidence Party.