Iran Presidential Elections: Registration of Candidates Underway
Iran has initiated the formal registration of presidential candidates for the upcoming snap vote to fill the vacancy left by the late Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash. The registration process began at 8 am at the interior ministry, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Key Points:
- Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in northern Iran.
- The elections, originally scheduled for 2025, were expedited due to Raisi’s untimely demise on May 19.
- Presidential hopefuls have a five-day window to complete their registration process.
According to Iran’s electoral law, candidates must meet specific criteria, including being between the ages of 40 and 75 and holding at least a master’s degree. As of now, “around 30 people” have expressed their interest in candidacy, but none have met the necessary qualifications.
Notable figures such as former reformist lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian and incumbent conservative parliamentarian Mohammadreza Sabaghian have submitted their applications for candidacy.
Upcoming Steps:
- A final list of candidates will be revealed on June 11 by the Guardian Council, a body responsible for vetting candidates.
- The previous election cycle in 2021 saw the rise of ultraconservative Raisi to power, with a historically low voter turnout of 48.8%.
- The upcoming June vote occurs amidst regional tensions, including the Gaza conflict and ongoing diplomatic disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.
