Zohreh Elahian first woman to register for Iran's snap elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Jun 2024 21:06

Several prominent Iranian political figures have also joined the campaign, including former parliament chairman Ali Larijani.

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Former Iranian lawmaker Zohreh Elahian shows her identification document to the media while registering her name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP)

Iranian news agency MEHR reported on Saturday that Zohreh Elahian has made history by becoming the first woman eligible to register for the impending snap presidential election in Iran. This development comes in the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of President Ebrahim Raisi.

"My government's motto is a healthy government, a healthy economy, and a healthy society," Elahian was quoted as saying upon her registration.

Several prominent Iranian political figures have also joined the campaign, including former parliament chairman Ali Larijani.

In addition to Larijani, the former head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, emerges as another candidate in the upcoming elections.

Holding key positions as the current representative of the Leader of the Revolution and the Republic in the council, Jalili is renowned for his steadfast stance on foreign policy, particularly regarding negotiations and relations with the West and the United States.

Parliamentarians Mohammad Reza Sabbaghian and Abbas Moghtadaei, along with the leader of the reformist "Mardom Salari" party, Mostafa Kavakebian, and Ghodrat Ali Heshmatian, have also been nominated.

Central Bank Governor Abdul Nasser Hemmati emerged as a presidential candidate as well.

It's worth noting that the fourteenth session of the presidential elections is scheduled for June 28. The registration process will span over five days, followed by a seven-day period during which the Guardian Council will review the candidates' eligibility. Subsequently, a 14-day electoral campaign period will commence.

Roadmap to early election procedures

Iran's Guardian Council and the Elections Commission decided that elections would be held on June 28 to appoint a new president for the country on July 8.

According to the approved electoral calendar, candidates will be registered during the period from May 21 to June 3. Then, the Constitutional Council will study the eligibility of candidates between June 4 and June 10.

Then, on June 11, the Ministry of Interior will announce the approved candidates and the electoral campaigns will continue afterward until June 26.

On June 28, the presidential elections will be held, but the tentative schedule may change, taking into account that the 50-day deadline will end in the first week of July.

Finally, if no candidate wins a majority of votes on June 28, a runoff will be held on July 5. It should be noted that while Raisi's term was set to expire in August 2025, the candidate who wins the next presidential election will serve a full term of four years.