– Iran presidential runoff vote
– Hard-line former negotiator vs reformist lawmaker in Iran.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Iranians in the United Arab Emirates went to the polls on Friday for a runoff election to select a new president following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. The election, which has been marred by public apathy, comes at a time when Iran is grappling with economic challenges, mass protests, and regional tensions in the Middle East.
The runoff election features two main candidates: Saeed Jalili, a hard-line former nuclear negotiator, and Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime parliament member who has aligned himself with moderates and reformists within Iran’s Shiite theocracy. The initial round of voting on June 28 did not see any candidate secure over 50% of the vote, leading to the need for a runoff. However, the first round saw the lowest turnout ever for an Iranian election, raising questions about voter participation in the second round.
Despite calls for a boycott from figures like Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, the decision not to participate in the election seems to have been made by potential voters themselves. There is no widely accepted opposition movement operating within or outside of Iran, further contributing to the lack of enthusiasm for the election.
State television in Iran showed images of modest lines at polling places as voting began on Friday. However, women and those calling for radical change have been excluded from the ballot, and the election will have no oversight from internationally recognized monitors.
The election takes place against a backdrop of wider tensions in the Middle East, particularly in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Iran has been involved in the conflict through its support for militia groups like Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Additionally, Iran continues to enrich uranium at near weapons-grade levels, raising concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all state matters, presidents can influence the country’s policies towards confrontation or negotiation with the West. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who is overseeing the election, announced the opening of all polling stations at 8 a.m. local time.
With over 61 million eligible voters in Iran, the election is expected to conclude at 6 p.m. local time, though it may be extended until midnight to boost participation. This election marks only Iran’s second presidential runoff since 1979, with the first occurring in 2005 when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeated former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
The death of President Raisi in the helicopter crash has left a void in Iran’s leadership, with many viewing him as a potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei. However, Raisi’s legacy is tainted by his involvement in the mass executions of 1988 and the crackdown on dissent following protests over the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
As Iranians cast their votes in the runoff election, the future direction of the country hangs in the balance. The outcome of the election will shape Iran’s domestic and foreign policies for years to come, impacting its relations with the West and the wider Middle East region..
– Iran holds runoff presidential vote
– hard-line former negotiator against reformist lawmaker.