Iran election likely to move to run-off as polls close
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The Iranian election comes to a close, and as the vote counting begins, it is expected that the election might head to a run-off.
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An elderly woman uses a magnifying glass to fill out her ballot for the presidential election at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2024 (AP)
The Iranian Ministry of Interior's Presidential Election Committee announced early Saturday the conclusion of the voting process and the commencement of vote counting.
This announcement followed a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry's Election Committee, revealing that voting hours had been extended three times, with the polls originally scheduled to close at 6 PM.
An Al Mayadeen correspondent to Tabriz reported that the Ministry of Interior was just hours away from announcing the election results. According to polls, the election is likely to proceed to a second round.
Similarly, Al Mayadeen's correspondent at the Iranian Ministry of Interior indicated that, with the start of the vote-counting process, expectations are leaning towards a run-off round.
Iranians are currently in the midst of selecting the 9th president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This is the 14th presidential election held in the country since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and will see the successor of late President martyr Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash alongside several other officials on May 19.
58,640 polling stations have been available to voters within the country, as well as 340 polling stations in more than 95 countries around the world. Iranians will get to vote for one of four candidates who are still in the race, including Saeed Jalili, Mostafa Pour Mohammadi, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran reassures voters of security during election
The Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi, reassured the Iranian people that the election will be held in complete safety, stressing that authorities are keen on ensuring security.
Al Mayadeen's correspondents in Iran reported on the proceedings in the polling stations and centers, including that in Isfahan where modern equipment to verify the identities of voters was put in place.
In Shiraz, our correspondent confirmed that the electoral process is running smoothly, transparently, and accurately, pointing to the advanced logistical standards made available in the city's polling stations.
28 polling stations were opened in the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, which witnessed heavy turnout, stressing that the process is running properly.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Mashhad also said that the observers affiliated with the Guardian Council reported that no objections, problems, or complaints have been registered since the opening of the ballot boxes.
