Democracy in Iran Acknowledged by Foes: Top Judge
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Judiciary chief described people’s turnout in elections as a main factor guaranteeing the country’s national security and improving its international standing, and highlighted the enemies’ admission that Iran enjoys democracy.
“Today, even our enemies concede that people are giving allegiance to the Establishment in the Islamic Republic despite all pressures and sanctions,” Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani told reporters on Friday, after casting his ballot in the 12th presidential election.
The adversaries admit that Iran enjoys a democratic process and Iranians vote freely, he added.
The ranking official then emphasized that the true winner will be “the great Iranian nation” irrespective of the election’s outcome, stressing that a high turnout in the polls demonstrates national solidarity and support for the Islamic Establishment, and would thwart the plots hatched by the enemies in the region and the world.
Iranians headed to the polls as soon as the stations opened on Friday morning. More than 56,400,000 eligible voters can cast their ballots in 63,429 polling stations across Iran.
There are four candidates seeking presidency in the polls, namely incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim.
A run-off would be held next Friday if none of the candidates wins a majority, which is at least 50 percent plus one vote.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei was one of the first voters in Friday’s polls.
Calling for maximum turnout in the election after casting his ballot, the Leader said, “I believe that the presidential election is very important. The country’s fate is in the hands of all people who elect head of the executive force. They (people) should pay regard to the significance of this action.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also urged voters to cast their ballots with knowledge and awareness.
