Iran ? Iranians turned out in heavy numbers Friday for local council elections that could be a gauge of popular dissatisfaction with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and liberals’ potential to rebuild their suppressed movement.

Ahmadinejad was expected to lose the support of fellow conservatives who feel he has spent too much time confronting the West and failed to deal with Iran’s struggling economy.

Independent observers said the turnout appeared to be higher than in previous elections, including one in June of last year that brought Ahmadinejad to power.

Polling hours in Tehran were extended for three hours to accommodate long lines. The head of the electoral organization, Deputy Interior Minister Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, told state TV that many polling stations had asked for more ballots.

First results were expected Sunday, with final results expected Monday or later.