Iran election runoff: Voting underway as ministry reports 'increasing turnout'
Millions of Iranians, inside and outside the country, are casting their ballots to choose the next president in the election runoff. The Interior Ministry says the participation has increased compared to the previous round.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on Friday and are scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m. (1430 GMT), with the possibility of extensions by the Interior Ministry.
Mohsen Eslami, spokesperson for the national election headquarters, told reporters in a briefing at around 3:00 p.m. local time that people's participation has increased compared to the previous round.
The voting process is going smoothly at around 59,000 polling stations nationwide, he said.
"So far, we've seen more people coming in to vote than in the first round. We're optimistic that this trend will keep up," the spokesperson added.
🔴 LIVE: Polls open in Iran presidential election run-off, Jalili , Pezeshkian vying for top executive office#IranVotes2024 https://t.co/MJupijlMfI
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 5, 2024
The second round of voting comes after the June 28 election where Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili were the leading candidates, but neither won a majority.
Pezeshkian has a background as a health minister and is a legislator from Tabriz in the northwest. Jalili holds experience as a diplomat and the chief nuclear negotiator.
Over 24 million people voted on June 28.
This election will choose a new president after President Raisi passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19.
Initial results are expected to be announced on Saturday.
The election headquarters says 61 million people are allowed to vote.
Meanwhile, Iranians living in other countries began visiting polling stations early on Friday to cast their votes.
Some 344 polling stations worldwide are organized by Iran's foreign ministry.
Iranian citizens go to the polls at the Islamic Republic's consulate in the Iraqi city of Najaf to take part in Iran's presidential election run-off.#IranVotes2024 pic.twitter.com/7dlqcocnrg
— Iran Election 2024 (@PressTVElection) July 5, 2024
Increased turnout outside Iran
The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry also pointed to the reports that indicate increased participation in the polling stations outside Iran.
"Reports from ambassadors and heads of Iranian missions abroad indicate that the turnout of Iranians overseas during this election period has been magnificent," Nasser Kan'ani told reporters on Friday.
The embassies and Iranian missions also report that conditions have been favorable for Iranians abroad to take part in the elections, with no significant issues so far, he said.
The nation's turnout enhances the nation's authority on both regional and international stages, he said, hoping that this strong participation will herald the beginning of a new era of strengthening the country's influence and power.
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