Presidential election process begins in Iran

According to reports from Iranian state television, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi issued a decree ordering the start of the election process.

The decree stated, "While offering our condolences for the martyrdom of Ayatollah Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and his esteemed companions, it has been decided to initiate the election process for the 14th presidential term in accordance with Article 131 of the Constitution and Articles 38 and 39 of the Presidential Election Law."

Accordingly, provincial and district governorships across the country have been instructed to establish election centers and form management boards in their respective regions within 3 days.

ELECTIONS ON JUNE 28

Following the death of President Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumed the presidency in an acting capacity with the approval of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in accordance with the constitution.

Under the Iranian constitution, in the event of the death of the incumbent president, a council consisting of the Parliament Speaker, the Judiciary Chief, and the First Vice President must make the necessary arrangements to ensure a new president is elected within a maximum of 50 days.

In line with this, it was decided during an extraordinary meeting held on May 20 between the heads of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches that the presidential election would be held on June 28.

Those wishing to run in the election will have 5 days to submit their candidacy applications to the Ministry of Interior, starting on May 30.

In Iran, presidents are elected by the public from among candidates approved by the Guardian Council.

So far, reformist former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili have announced that they will file candidacy applications.