Iran Chooses Its President: Imam Khamenei Casts Vote

Local Editor

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballots in the 11th Presidential and 4th City and Village Councils elections.

Polling started across the Islamic Republic at 08:00 hours Tehran's time Friday for both the Presidential and the City & Village Councils elections concurrently.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after casting the ballots, the Leader stated that no one is privy to his vote.

He further warned against enemy plots to discourage the Iranian nation from participating in the elections, and urged the Iranians to attend the polls at the earliest opportunity.

Voting will last 10 hours and ends at 6 pm, but it could be extended if necessary. Ballot counting will start at 24:00 Friday and final results will be announced in the following 24 hours.
Presidential campaign kicked off on May 22 after the Guardian Council released the list of 8 qualified candidates - although 6 have remained now - and ended at 8:00 on Thursday.

The qualified candidates represent a wide range of political streams from Conservatives to reformers.
There are now 6 candidates left in the race after two of them quitted. They include Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Iranian Foreign Minister and Supreme Leader's top advisor for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati, Supreme National Security Council Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, former SNSC Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rouhani, former Oil and Telecommunication Minister Seyed Mohammad Qarazi, and former Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezayee.

According to presidential election laws, all Iranian nationals above 18 years of age are eligible to vote.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team