High Turnout in Iran’s Elections, Clear Message for Westerners: Judiciary Chief
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani underlined that high turnout in the ongoing elections conveys “a clear message” for certain Western countries, which interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic.
“People’s massive and lively presence in the polling stations conveys a clear message for (certain) Western countries that our people defend the country’s Establishment and leadership in unison,” Amoli Larijani told reporters after casting his ballot in the northern city of Amol on Friday.
He further pointed to recent attempts made by the Westerners to influence the outcome of the elections, saying the Iranian people do not pay heed to the attempts and they will cast their own votes in the ballot boxes.
The judiciary chief went on to say that with the grace of God, the people will stage an “epic” elections and announce their views to the world loudly.
Iranian officials have in recent weeks reiterated the importance of the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, and called for massive turnout in the polls.
Polling stations across Iran opened on Friday morning and are slated to work for 10 hours. Some 54.9 million Iranians are eligible to cast their votes in the two elections.
There are 290 seats in the Iranian parliament, elected by direct vote of people in nationwide election for four years.
The Assembly of Experts is also a high-ranking body that elects and oversees the activities of the leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Members of the 88-seat assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.