Tehran [Iran], June 30: The early election was held after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on May 19. Iran's Interior Ministry announced on June 29 that none of the four candidates had won more than half of the votes in the election held the day before, according to RT.
Specifically, after all votes were counted, congressman Masoud Pezeshkian had 10.4 million votes (42.45%), former head of the nuclear negotiation delegation Saeed Jalili had 9.5 million votes (38.61%). .
National Assembly Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had 13.78% while former Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi had 0.84% and both were eliminated.
There were 24.5 million voters, equivalent to 40% of the total number of people able to vote . The second round of the election will take place on July 5 between Mr. Pezeshkian and Mr. Jalili.
Mr. Pezeshkian (70 years old) was a doctor before joining politics. He served as health minister and first vice president of parliament. Mr. Jalili (59 years old) used to be Iran 's nuclear negotiator with major powers. He is currently a member of an advisory council to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
Voting began at 8 a.m. on June 28 at 58,640 polling stations across the country and abroad. The voting period was extended three times until midnight. Supreme Leader Khamenei was the first to cast his vote, calling on Iranians to unite and actively vote.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
