Iranians started casting their votes on Friday at nearly 59,000 polling stations across the country in a snap presidential election which comes just weeks after the death of the late president Ebrahim Raisi.
Initially slated for 2025, Iran's 14th presidential election was quickly rescheduled following the tragic death of Raisi in a helicopter crash in the country's mountainous northwestern region on May 19.
Over 61 million Iranian citizens are eligible to vote and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged the public to participate amid fears of a low turnout.
The election comes against a backdrop of public apathy due to ongoing economic difficulties and tensions in the Middle East.
Iran had previously announced the names of six qualified candidates, but two dropped out of the running prior to the vote, with Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani and current vice president Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi both giving their backing to the two remaining principlist candidates, namely Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, and Saeed Jalili, the former top negotiator for nuclear talks.
The others in the race are Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a former interior minister and justice minister, and Masoud Pezeshkian, a former health minister and reformist.
Domestic affairs, especially economic reform, are seen as the main priorities concerning Iranian voters.
"As a young person in Iran, I think the economy is the most important issue for the next president. As for our security affairs, I think our institutions do their jobs well, so I am not overly concerned about that," said Tehran resident Naser Ranjbar.
"When a reformist qualifies as a candidate, the presidential competition becomes very fierce, unlike when all the candidates are from the same party. When there is a reformist, the voter turnout is always very high," said Hamid Bagheri, a voter.
First-time voter Zahra Saadatmandi said she was pleased to cast her ballot and hopes that whoever emerges victorious will put the interests of Iran first.
"It's my duty and social right, and our votes will determine the political direction of the country. Whoever becomes president should follow the interests of the country, that is more important than the party he represents," she said.
Voting underway in Iran's 14th presidential election following death of Raisi
