Iran Presidential Election: 20 Million Ballot Papers Stamped by Late Afternoon
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – As the voter turnout in Iran’s presidential election on Friday is apparently going to hit a record high, authorities say around 20 million ballot papers have been stamped by late afternoon.
As many as 63,429 polling stations across Iran opened this morning for the 12th presidential election, the 5th City and Village Councils elections, and the Parliament’s midterm election.
The number of eligible voters stands at above 56,400,000, more than 1,350,000 of whom are allowed to vote for the first time.
Interior Ministry officials said some 20 million voters have cast their ballots by the evening.
The polls were initially to close at 6 pm, but authorities extended voting until 8 pm in the first stage.
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has asked voters not to delay going to polling stations, because the rules allow for voting to be extended until midnight at most.
He said the governors and provincial officials have been asked to make requests for ballot papers in the polling stations which have consumed 70 percent of their ballots.
There are four candidates seeking presidency in the polls, namely incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim.
A run-off would be held a week later if none of the candidates wins a majority, which is at least 50 percent plus one vote.