Polls opened nationwide in Iran’s 2021 presidential election​

Tehran, June 18 (RHC)-- Polls opened nationwide in Iran’s 2021 presidential election.  Over 59.3 million Iranians are eligible to vote for one of four candidates running.  Polls opened across the country at 07:00 a.m. local time on Friday, June 18, and will run until 05:00 p.m.  Voting can be extended until 12:00 am on Saturday, and for two more hours then, if necessary.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballot early on.  Senior Iranian officials, including the heads of the three branches of government, also cast their votes at polling states in the capital, Tehran.

Addressing the people after casting his vote, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran was among a few countries in the world whose elections attract international attention.  He said: “People should be mindful that the whole world is today focused on the ballot boxes and the people’s queues to cast their world.  God willing, we will act in a way that it will make our friends across the world happy and frustrate enemies.”

Officials have stressed that health protocols will be strictly observed in all polling stations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Over 59 million Iranians are eligible to participate in the election at more than 72,000 polling stations set up countrywide, according to the figures released by election officials.

City council, midterm parliamentary, and Assembly of Experts elections will are also being held simultaneously with the presidential vote.