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Voting Hours Extended In Iranian Presidential Vote

June 14, 2013

by RFE/RL

Iranians are voting in an election to choose a replacement for President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Polls were due to close at 6 p.m. on June 14, but the Election Commission has extended the hours for voting in the presidential election until 9 p.m. local time (16:30 GMT/UTC). Election officials said the extension was necessary to accommodate the large numbers of voters lining up at polling stations.

After casting his vote in Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed those who question the democratic nature of the election.

"I recently heard that someone from America’s National Security Council said, ‘We don’t accept this election in Iran.' Well, to hell with you if you don’t accept it," Khamenei said.

Khamanei did not make clear whom he was referring to. But last month U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry cast doubt on the credibility of the election following the disqualification of hundreds candidates, including those whom observers considered potential reformers and all the women who wanted to run.

Kerry criticized what he called a “lack of transparency” of the election process and said the disqualifications were “based solely on who represents the regime’s interests.”

Six candidates are taking part in the race.

Opinion surveys have suggested a close race between moderate cleric and former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani, who is backed by pro-reform elements, and conservative candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the current mayor of Tehran.

If no candidate captures a majority, a runoff will take place on June 21. No international observers are monitoring the election.

Rohani has recently called for greater freedom of expression and promised to free political prisoners. He also supports the continuation of Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Many Western nations say the program is being used as cover for building a nuclear weapon.

Former Iranian Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, as well as the supreme leader's younger brother, Hadi Khamenei, have lent their support to Rohani.

Four other hard-line candidates approved by the Guardians Council are also running.

The candidates took part in three debates that were broadcast live on national television. They discussed their positions on foreign and domestic policies and social issues, among other topics.

A Tehran resident, who didn’t want to give his name, told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that the debates had an impact on some voters.

"From what I heard, Mr. Rohani’s candidacy has been attracting attention. Especially because of the third televised debate between the candidates, more people got to know him," he said. "Reformists and those who are close to those circles know him. They know [whom they are voting for], but many others did not know [Rohani]. I think the third debate left an impact.”

A resident of Bushehr said he has decided not to vote “because of the experience of the last election in 2009” when government critics said the vote was rigged to ensure Ahmadinejad’s second term in office.

"I live in a small city," he said. "My impression is that the atmosphere of the current election did not have the excitement of the previous election."

There are more than 50.5 million eligible voters in Iran. A simple majority of votes -- 50 percent plus one -- is required to win the election.

If there is no simple majority, a runoff between the two candidates with highest number of the votes will be held on June 21.

No international observers are monitoring the election process.

The first results of the vote count are expected on June 15.

The new president will take office in late August. The president is constitutionally limited to two consecutive terms. Ahmadinejad will step down after eight years in power.

The June 14 vote comes four years after security forces cracked down on protesters who believed Ahamdinejad's reelection had been secured through massive electoral fraud.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-presidential-election-/25016539.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.