High Turnout in Elections to Boost Iran’s Security, Power: Commander
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh highlighted the importance of Friday elections and said the massive participation of the people will help boost the country’s security and power.
“The presence of the people in the elections would help (increase) the country’s security and power and is a fresh blood to the Islamic Republic of Iran’ Establishment,” Brigadier General Hajizadeh told reporters at a polling station in Tehran on Friday after casting his vote.
He further highlighted the importance of “the correct choice” of the people and said, “ The people should choose hardworking, faithful and appropriate individuals.”
“If this is done and capable people are elected to parliament, good things will happen in the country for the next four years,” the commander went on to say.
The nationwide votes for the parliament and the midterm elections of the Assembly of Experts officially began in Iran on Friday morning.
In comments after voting just minutes after beginning the elections, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei described the election day as a “national celebration” and a day to “restore the civil rights of the nation”.
Ayatollah Khamenei also emphasized that participation in the election is a “religious duty”.
“The election guarantees the country’s national interests, and whoever is interested in the country’s national interests must take part in the election,” the Leader added.
Having gone through a formal qualification process by Iran’s Guardian Council, a total of 7,148 candidates, including dozens of Iranians from the religious minorities, are running for the parliament. There are 290 seats in the parliament up for grabs.