Iran Commences Presidential Election Amid Limited Candidate Options and Restricted Choices for Voters

Photo : Reuters

Iranians began voting on Friday in a pivotal presidential election following the tragic death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The election offers a choice among four candidates closely aligned with the supreme leader in a time marked by increasing public frustration.

State television broadcasted scenes of long queues inside polling stations across several cities. More than 61 million Iranians are eligible to vote, with polls scheduled to close at 6 p.m. (1430 GMT), though extensions until midnight are common.

The election occurs amidst heightened regional tensions, including the conflict between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Additionally, Western pressure on Iran over its advancing nuclear program adds to the election's significance.

While the election outcome is unlikely to drastically alter Iran's policies, it could influence the succession plan for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's 85-year-old supreme leader who has been in power since 1989.

Khamenei emphasized the importance of a high voter turnout to counter legitimacy concerns arising from public discontent over economic challenges and restrictions on political and social freedoms. "The durability, strength, dignity, and reputation of the Islamic Republic depend on the presence of people," Khamenei stated on state television after casting his ballot. "High turnout is a definite necessity."

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Voter participation has declined notably in recent years, reflecting discontent among Iran's predominantly youthful population with political and social constraints.

The final election result is expected to be delayed by about two days due to manual ballot counting, with preliminary results potentially available around midday on Saturday. If no candidate secures at least 50% plus one vote, a runoff between the top two contenders will take place on the first Friday following the initial results announcement.

Among the candidates, three are hardliners, and one represents a relatively moderate stance, supported by a reformist faction that has waned in influence. Critics of Iran's clerical leadership argue that declining turnout in recent elections indicates a loss of the system's legitimacy. Participation was at a low of 41% in a parliamentary election just three months ago, following a 48% turnout in the 2021 presidential election that brought Raisi to power.

While the next president's influence on major state matters, including Iran's nuclear policies and support for regional militia groups, is limited by Khamenei's authority, the president oversees daily governance and can shape Iran's domestic and foreign policy tone.

The election process is overseen by a rigorous vetting body aligned with Khamenei, which initially approved only six candidates out of 80 applicants, with two hardline contenders withdrawing subsequently.

Prominent among the remaining hardliners are Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guards commander, and Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator who served in Khamenei's office.

All candidates have pledged to address Iran's economic challenges exacerbated by mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions reimposed since the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and world powers.

Massoud Pezeshkian, the sole moderate candidate, adheres to Iran's theocratic principles but advocates for improved relations with the West, economic reforms, social liberalization, and political pluralism. His candidacy hinges on mobilizing reform-minded voters disenchanted by the lack of significant change under previous pragmatic presidents. Pezeshkian's appeal may also benefit from the fragmentation of the hardline vote.

In recent weeks, the hashtag #ElectionCircus has gained traction among Iranians on social media, with some activists calling for a boycott to protest what they view as a process that legitimizes the Islamic Republic.

The election's outcome will have implications not only for Iran's domestic governance but also for its international relations and strategic direction in the coming years.

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