Iranians are heading to the polls as voting begins in the runoff presidential election. This election follows an initial round where no candidate secured the necessary majority to win outright, leading to the runoff between the top contenders.
The runoff election is crucial as it will determine the next president of Iran, a position that holds significant influence over the country’s domestic and foreign policies.
Voters are turning out to cast their ballots, hoping to shape the future direction of their nation. The outcome of this election will be closely watched both within Iran and internationally.
The runoff follows a historic low turnout on June 28, when over 60% of Iranian voters abstained from the snap election to choose a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash. The low participation is seen by critics as a vote of no confidence in the administration.
The vote is a tight race between low-key lawmaker Masoud Pezeshkian, the sole moderate in the original field of four candidates, and hardline former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
While the poll will have little impact on Iran’s policies, the president will be closely involved in selecting the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s 85-year-old supreme leader who calls all the shots on top state matters.
“I have heard that people’s zeal and interest is higher than in the first round. May God make it this way as this will be gratifying news,” Khamenei told Iranian media after casting his vote.
Source: BBC
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