Second spherical of Iran’s presidential elections begins to resolve race between reformist Pezeshkian and conservative Jalili – BBC Information Arabic

Iran’s state tv broadcast the Supreme Chief, who’s the de facto ruler of the nation, casting his vote when the polling stations opened their doorways at 08:00 am native time (04:30 GMT).

Official tv footage additionally confirmed voters queuing exterior polling stations in central Iran, whereas Agence France-Presse reporters stated polling stations appeared much less crowded within the capital, Tehran.

Within the first spherical final week, Pezeshkian, the one reformer within the presidential election with probably the most votes, gained about 42 p.c. In second place was former nuclear negotiator Jalili, with 39 p.c, in response to information from Iran’s Election Authority.

Pezeshkian gained greater than 10 million and 400 thousand votes, and his rival Jalili gained greater than 9 million and 400 thousand votes, separating the 2 candidates by about a million votes.

Conservative Shura Council Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf got here third with 13.8 p.c, whereas cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi acquired lower than one p.c.

Neither of the 2 candidates who got here first within the outcomes obtained 50 p.c of the votes, after greater than 24 million poll papers have been counted, in response to Iran’s Inside Ministry, which made them to undergo a runway to determine the race.

Solely 40 p.c of Iran’s 61 million voters forged ballots, marking the bottom turnout in a presidential race since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, greater than 40 a 12 months in the past.

Throughout one in every of their debates, each contestants expressed their displeasure with the extent of participation within the first spherical. Pezishkian stated that individuals are “uninterested in their dwelling circumstances, and have grow to be dissatisfied with authorities administration.”

The Council of Conservative Conservatives had authorised six candidates after a cautious screening that excluded many reformers, earlier than two of them, the mayor of Tehran and the late Vice President Raisi, withdrew. out of the race.

Khamenei informed state tv after casting his vote on Friday morning: “I used to be informed that folks’s enthusiasm and curiosity is greater than within the first spherical, and I pray to God that this can be true, as a result of it will likely be excellent news. “

He stated: “Within the second section of the elections, the individuals have to be extra decided in the present day to resolve the election outcomes and have a president tomorrow.”

The top of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard aerospace forces, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, additionally urged the vote, which he described as “strengthening,” saying that regardless of the criticism, “all sound like a missile being launched, “aimed toward enemies.

Khamenei acknowledged on Wednesday that “the turnout was decrease than anticipated,” however refused to indicate that those that didn’t vote within the first spherical have been “in opposition to the Islamic system of governance.”

Voter turnout reached its highest stage within the parliamentary elections in March, and in the latest presidential elections in 2021.

The participation charge at the moment was just below 49 p.c, and was thought of the bottom in any presidential election in Iran, earlier than reaching a brand new stage in elections present president 2024, which is barely 40 p.c.

The elections come amid rising regional tensions over the warfare in Gaza and well-liked discontent over the state of Iran’s economic system, which has been hit by sanctions. nation of victory.

Though Pezeshkian just isn’t in opposition to democracy in Iran, he has promised to take a unique method, criticizing the actions of the morality police, who impose strict “immoral” guidelines on ladies.

In international coverage, Pezeshkian, 69, needs to cut back worldwide tensions and restore lively diplomacy and constructive dialogue with the world.

His conservative rivals argue that he goals to proceed the insurance policies of the Hassan Rouhani administration, which they see as a failure, whereas many citizens have questioned his capability to ship on his marketing campaign guarantees. supply

Pezeshkian, a former Minister of Well being, has promised to reform the well being system, enhance the standard of medical companies, and cut back remedy prices.

Pezeshkian emphasised bettering instructional circumstances and growing the standard of colleges and universities, and in addition referred to as for ladies to play an lively and equal function in all social, financial and political fields.

As for his rival, the 58-year-old conservative Jalili, who was the pinnacle of Iran’s nuclear negotiations and the secretary of the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council. The Director Common appointed him as his consultant on the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council for 16 years.

Jalili raises the slogan of “turning threats into alternatives,” and his supporters say he resisted Western stress and adopted a “robust and difficult” coverage. , refusing to adjust to the calls for of highly effective international locations.

Jalili stated the settlement, from which the USA withdrew in 2018 below former US President Donald Trump, “didn’t profit Iran in any respect.”

He criticized the settlement, which he noticed as breaking the Islamic Republic’s “pink traces” by permitting inspections of its nuclear websites.

Though Iran’s subsequent president can be chargeable for implementing the state coverage set by the Supreme Chief, who has supreme energy within the nation, analysts say that Jalili’s victory within the election of the president to carry a few extra hostile development within the home and international coverage of the Islamic Republic.