The runoff will pit centrist Masoud Pezeshkian towards hardline chief Saeed Jalili within the race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in Could.
Iranians have returned to the polls for a second spherical of presidential elections that may pit centrist Masoud Pezeshkian towards hardline chief Saeed Jalili within the race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in Could.
The runoff shall be held on Friday as neither contender secured an absolute majority on June 28, with Pezeshkian receiving round 42.5 p.c of the vote and Jalili round 38.7 p.c.
The election comes amid rising regional tensions over Israel’s warfare in Gaza, Iran’s dispute with the West over its nuclear programme, rising discontent over the state of an financial system crippled by sanctions and disillusionment following lethal protests in 2022-23.
Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the ultimate say on all state issues, forged his poll as polling stations opened at 8 a.m. (0430 GMT), state tv confirmed.
“It’s a good day to take part within the electoral course of,” he stated in a speech encouraging individuals to exit and vote.
“Hopefully we’ll elect the proper candidate. At this stage, individuals ought to make an additional effort to elect a president tomorrow.”
Solely 40 p.c of Iran’s 61 million eligible voters forged ballots in June, the bottom turnout in any presidential election for the reason that 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar stated one of many polls printed shortly earlier than the second spherical of voting confirmed Pezeshkian was prone to win the race, however either side have predicted victory ultimately.
“However some say that the polls main as much as final week’s election have been flawed, so there may very well be one other shock as we speak. On this case, the primary concern is de facto turnout.”
Low involvement
Khamenei stated the turnout within the first spherical was “not as anticipated” however that it was not an act “towards the system.”
In final week’s vote, conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf got here third with 13.8 p.c, whereas Muslim chief Mostafa Pourmohammadi received lower than 1 p.c.
The elections have been initially scheduled for 2025 however have been introduced ahead following Raisi’s loss of life.
The rival candidates within the runoff held two debates wherein they mentioned Iran’s financial issues, worldwide relations, low voter turnout and Web restrictions.
On Tuesday, Pezeshkian, 69, stated individuals have been “fed up with their residing circumstances… and dissatisfied with the federal government’s dealing with of affairs.” He known as for “constructive relations” with the US and European nations to “convey Iran out of its isolation.”
Jalili, 58, has gathered a considerable base of hard-line supporters and obtained the backing of Ghalibaf and two different conservative candidates who dropped out of the race earlier than the primary spherical.
He has insisted that Iran doesn’t want the deserted nuclear take care of the US and different world powers to maneuver ahead.
The 2015 deal, which Jalili stated violated all of Iran’s “purple strains” by permitting inspections of nuclear services, had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear exercise in alternate for sanctions aid. The settlement has been hanging within the steadiness since 2018, when then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from it.
Jalili has held a number of senior positions, together with in Khamenei’s workplace within the early 2000s. He’s at present one in all Khamenei’s representatives on the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council, Iran’s prime safety physique.
Whatever the end result, Iran’s subsequent president would be the one to implement state coverage outlined by the supreme chief, who wields final authority within the nation.
Comply with reside updates on the election right here.