Iranians vote; huge turnout is expected

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As Iran holds its 13th presidential election, Iranians vote in Friday’s presidential polls. The streets in Iran are full of voters who have gathered to cast their votes. 

Darvishian: “Voter turnout will be high”

Hassan Darvishian, President of the General Inspection Organization (GIO) of Iran, said that voter turnout will be high according to early voter data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Furthermore, Darvishian urged Iranians who are skeptical of the current scenario to vote, adding that a strong turnout will have a quick impact on the country's crisis resolution.

Shamkhani: “The outcome of Iranians' vote will be respected”

On  his part, Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), stated that any results in the next elections will be "respected," as it will represent the majority of voters' views, "but the people's involvement is more essential than the outcome," as he put it.

After casting his ballot, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked that “strong turnout in the elections strengthens the Islamic Republic's position”, adding that the “outcomes will be beneficial to the Iranian people”.

In Iran's presidential election in 2021, polls have started countrywide, with approximately 59 million Iranians eligible to vote for one of four candidates.

Khamenei: “Today is national Iranian Day”

As Iranians vote to elect a new president, Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei cast his ballot this morning in the electoral center of Imam Khomeini's Husseiniya in Tehran in the first minutes after the polls for the Iranian presidential elections opened. 

"Today is National Iranian Day," he said after casting his vote.

 “Even one single vote counts. No one should say ‘"What would my one vote accomplish?’ one  Iranian vote becomes millions when tallied.”

lranians vote for?

On the final day of the campaign, two contenders dropped out of Iran's presidential race, narrowing the field. Iranians vote in a major turning point election. Here's Who's Running:

Ebrahim Raisi:

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Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi was born on 14 December 1960 in the Noghan district of Mashhad. He holds a master's degree in the field of "International Private Law” and a Ph.D. in "jurisprudence and fundamentals of Islamic law".

He has been the chief of Iran’s Judiciary since 2019. He has served in several positions in Iran's judicial system, such as Attorney General (2014 to 2016), and Deputy Chief Justice (2004 to 2014). He was also a Prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutor of Tehran in the 1980s and 1990s. He currently serves as the head of Iran’s Expediency Council.

Albdolnasser Hemmati:

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The 63 years-old Iranian politician is also an economist who currently serves as the governor of the Central Bank of Iran. He was previously vice president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (1989–1994), governor of the Central Insurance of Iran (1994–2006; 2016–2018), the Chief Executive Officer at Sina Bank (2006–2013), and Bank Melli Iran (2013–2016).

Mohsen Rezaei:

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Mohsen Rezaei is 67 years old, from Khuzestan province. He holds a doctorate in economics. Rezaei is one of the founders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. He led the Revolutionary Guards during the difficult phase of the Eight Years' War. He is currently the secretary of the Expediency Council, and he went through many electoral experiences in 1999, 2005, 2009 and 2013.

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi:

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Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon who has been an MP since 2008 and first deputy speaker since this May. The 50 year old was born in Khorasan Governorate. He holds a doctorate in medicine, he previously held the following positions: Director of Samnan University for Medical Sciences, member of the Shura Council in its 8, 9, 10 and 11 sessions, and is currently Vice President of the Shura Council.

Young Iranians on presidential elections

These elections are seen by many young Iranians as a turning point in the country, meanwhile, greater hope rises despite economic straits.

Dr. Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, PHD in Politics and International Studies, told Al Mayadeen English that “elections are generally important in any society. It is the way that people decide their destiny. It is more important in the Islamic republic of Iran because the political structure is unique”.

 “I like, many other Iranians, has decided to participate in the elections, and cast my vote for the candidate who is the most qualified,” Saeede Khazaee, translator and researcher said.

“I will consider the candidate if he is able to manage the economic crisis that Iran has been facing for nine years, since serious sanctions were imposed by Imperial powers like the US,” Saeede added.

On his part, Dr. Yousef Ali Rameh, PHD in geopolitics, told Al Mayadeen English that the “Islamic religious revolution of Iran is a democratic revolution which rise from Iranians vote”.

WATCH: Here are the issues that matter to young Iranian voters in the 2021 presidential elections.#Iran #IranElection2021 #IranElections #انتخابات۱۴۰۰ pic.twitter.com/lb9BFKOHWt

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 18, 2021