President Hails Islamic Democracy in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani highlighted the “Islamic democracy” prevailing in the country and said the Islamic Republic is proud that all high-ranking officials of the country have been “directly or indirectly” elected by the people.
Addressing a gathering of the Iranian people, government officials, and ambassadors from Islamic countries, held in Tehran on Tuesday, President Rouhani pointed to the 12th presidential election and the 5th City and Village Councils elections slated for next month and said the country’s “great nation” is resolved to create “a new epic” in the polls.
He made the remarks in a meeting attended by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the occasion of Eid al-Mab’ath, the anniversary of the day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was chosen as God’s messenger.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is proud that all high-ranking officials have reached their legitimate power directly or indirectly by the people’s votes,” the president said.
He further described “Islamic democracy” as one of the holy gifts given to Muslims on the day of Mab’ath.
The presidential vote and the City and Village Councils elections are slated to be held in Iran on May 19.
President Rouhani is running for a second term in office. The Interior Ministry released his name on the final list of candidates, who were approved by the Guardian Council (GC) to run in the presidential election.
The list also includes Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, the chief custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim and Mostafa Hashemitaba.
The number of eligible voters in the upcoming votes is estimated to be around 1.5 million higher than the 50.5 million in the previous round four years ago.