Iranians vote to elect their new president in presidential election

Iranians are voting for the presidential election. But one of the four candidates is regarded as the hardliner. The opinion poll is suggesting Ebrahim Raisi, a cogenerative Shia cleric. He heads the judiciary. He is the clear favorite here.

Mr. Raisi, on the other hand, is an ally of the supreme leader in Iran. He has also been touted as the possible successor in the future.

However, some of the Dissidents and the reformists have called for a boycott. It is saying that there is a barring for the several contenders who have left Mr. Raisi with not at all any serious competition.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cast his vote early on Friday morning in Tehran. He is also encouraging people to go to their nearby polls to participate in the presidential election.

“Each vote counts … come and vote and choose your president,” he said. “This is important for the future of your country.”

There is also some discontent among the citizens of Iran. They are facing economic hardship, as the US has abandoned a nuclear deal with Iran. Also, it has reinstated some of the crippling sanctions.

The elections are coinciding with the latest round for the talks in Vienna between Iran and the other world powers. These are also aiming towards the reviving of the accord. It has seen Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear program in return for sanction relief.

The Incumbent Hasaan Rouhani is a more moderate one who has sought engagement with the West. But he cannot stand for reelection as he has served two consecutive four-year terms.

With almost 600 hopefuls, the list includes 40 women who have been registered for the election. But in the end, only seven men got approval from the 12 jurists and theologians on the hard-line Guardian Council. This unelected body has the ultimate decision concerning the qualification of the candidate.

Eshaq Jahangiri is the first vice president of Mr. Rouhani. Ali Larijani is a conservative former speaker of the parliament. They were also among the most prominent candidates who are not having the allowance to run.

Three of the approved candidates – Saeed Jalili, Alireza Zakani, and Mohsen Mehralizadeh had dropped out. Mr. Jalili and Mr. Zakani are the hardliners. Both have endorsed Mr. Raisi. On the other hand, Mr. Mehralizade said that he had the goal to unify the reformist vote. It is a much-apparent endorsement for Mr. Hammati. In case no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the first round, there will also be a run-off election.

Credits: BBC