Choice - Hardliners against reformers: close race in Iran election
In Iran, preliminary results indicate a close race between moderate politician Massud Peseschkian and Hardliner Said Jalili. Out of approximately twelve million votes counted, Peseschkian received around 5 million, Jalili received around 4.9 million. The incumbent Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf followed in third place with approximately 1.6 million votes, according to the state broadcaster, citing the election authority. The fourth candidate, cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi, received only around 95,000 votes.
Approximately 61 million voters were called upon to elect a new government head on Friday. The polling stations remained open late into the evening due to multiple extensions granted by the Interior Ministry. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the two strongest contenders will face off in a runoff on July 5.
Three-way race between two hardliners and a reformer
Of the 80 candidates, the so-called Guardian Council, a powerful Islamic oversight body, only approved six as candidates for the election. Two of the approved candidates withdrew. Among the reliable pro-establishment, ultra-conservative forces, Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Hardliner Said Jalili engaged in a public feud. Massud Peseschkian, the moderate politician, was seen as their main challenger. He described himself as a values-conservative politician who supports reforms.
Observers believed that high voter turnout could benefit Peseschkian. Recently, supporters of the reformist camp had largely boycotted elections. Observers also saw advantages for Peseschkian if it came to a runoff and Iranian women and men had to choose between a Conservative and a Reformer.
Campaign focused on one major theme
Most Iranian citizens have lost faith in significant domestic political changes. Some activists, along with the imprisoned Peace Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, called for a boycott of the election. In the most recent parliamentary election in March, voter turnout reached a record low of around 40%. Voter turnout is traditionally higher in presidential elections.
The candidates debated primarily about ways to address the enormous economic crisis in the country. Iran is subject to international sanctions due to its controversial nuclear program and is largely cut off from the global financial system. The country needs investments in the billions.
Iran's political system combines republican and theocratic elements since the 1979 Revolution. Free elections do not exist: The Guardian Council always scrutinizes candidates' qualifications. Criticism of the system is not tolerated, as the suppression of protests in recent years demonstrated.
The President in Iran holds limited power as head of government. The 85-year-old Religious Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is the Supreme Leader, holds the final say in all strategic matters.
- Said Jalili, a hardliner from Iran, is involved in a public feud with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the incumbent Parliament President, during the election campaign.
- In accordance with the state broadcaster's report, where the election authority is cited, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf secured third place in the recent presidential election with around 1.6 million votes.
- If no contender garners more than 50% of the votes in the Presidential election, a run-off election between the two strongest candidates, including Said Jalili, will take place on July 5.
- In the wake of the Iranian election, the Ministry of the Interior granted multiple extensions for polling stations to remain open late into the evening, enabling approximately 61 million voters to cast their ballots.
- The political campaign in Tehran predominantly revolved around discussing strategies to overcome the country's significant economic crisis, which Iran is currently experiencing due to international sanctions and a lack of global financial system involvement.
