iran-polls-begin-to-choose-raisi-s-successor

Voting in the snap presidential elections in Iran begins on June 28 to determine the successor to Ebrahim Raisi, who lost his life in a helicopter crash on May 19 this year.

As per reports, every Iranian aged 18 or older is eligible to participate in the elections in Tehran. Across the nation, 58,640 polling stations have been established in various public locations including mosques and schools.

 

To cast their vote, voters must first complete an application and present their national ID card at the polling booth. They use a secret ballot to write down the candidate’s name and code, which is then deposited in a ballot box.

 

If no candidate secures at least 50 per cent plus one vote from all cast ballots, including blank votes, a run-off round between the top two candidates will take place the following Friday after the announcement of the initial results.

 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already cast his vote and encouraged the public to actively participate in this critical electoral process.

 

Speaking at a mosque linked to his offices, Khamenei highlighted the importance of a high turnout, describing the election as a significant political test.

 

Meanwhile, two candidates withdrew from the presidential race. On Wednesday night, 53-year-old Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi dropped out, urging fellow candidates to follow suit to strengthen the revolution's front, as reported by regional media.

 

Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, also announced on Thursday that he would no longer participate in the presidential race.

 

Originally scheduled for 2025, the presidential elections were advanced due to Raisi's untimely death.

 

Raisi, aged 63, was a key figure in Iran's succession planning for the 85-year-old supreme leader and was widely expected to secure another term in office.

 

His death in the helicopter crash in north-western Iran also claimed the life of Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, along with other officials.