FACTBOX: Quotes from officials, voters in Iran

(Reuters) - Iranians voted on Friday in a parliamentary election that conservatives are expected to win after many pro-reform politicians who oppose hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from the race.

Following are some quotes from Iranian leaders, politicians and ordinary voters:

SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI

"For our country and our nation it is a sensitive day and a sensitive moment that will determine the (nation's) fate," he said after casting his vote soon after polling stations opened.

"People in choosing parliamentarians should also consider ... voting for those who can pave the way for the current government which is active and willing to serve," he was quoted as saying in Iranian newspapers on Thursday.

PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

"The election belongs to people and is a reflection of people's will in governing the country ... Our revolution means the presence of people."

FORMER PRESIDENT AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI

"Parliament is very important. One reason is that it should approve ministers. It also has the right to impeach."

"Our enemies outside the country prefer that we have a weak parliament and that participation would be low to indicate a gap between people and the system. All should try to take part in the election and show their opposition in other arenas."

MEHDI KAROUBI, head of the pro-reform National Trust party

"Based on the promises that the Interior Minister has given about safeguarding the votes, I am optimistic and hopeful for the health of the election. Currently some members of the National Trust party are present at polling stations as supervisors and will report any irregularities," he was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

FATEMEH KAROUBI, a candidate and wife of Mehdi Karoubi

"If people participate in this election, reformists will have a better chance of winning more seats. I believe that this (new) parliament will be more moderate than the current one. We don't need extremists from either side," she told Reuters.

HASSAN SIAVASHI, 45, a government employee waiting to vote in Tehran when polling stations opened

"It is my religious duty to vote. I want to be the first one to cast a vote today. I pray that God will help Ahmadinejad's group to win."