Both Friends, Ill-Wishers Eyeing Iran Election: Leader

IQNA – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says both the country's friends and enemies are waiting to see how today's election goes as polls for parliament and the Assembly of Experts have opened across the nation.

Iranians are voting for their parliament and Assembly of Experts in simultaneous elections across the country. More than 61 million people are eligible to vote for 290 lawmakers and 88 clerics who will serve for four and eight years respectively.

The polls opened at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on Friday, and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was among the first to cast his ballot in Tehran. He urged the voters to participate in the elections as early as possible and to choose the candidates they needed in each constituency.

“Our dear nation should know that today the eyes of many people in the world, both individuals and politicians and those who hold prestigious national and political positions, are on Iran and you," he said.

"They want to see what you are doing in this election and what will be the result of your election. Both our friends and people who are interested in the Iranian nation, as well as ill-wishers from all sides, the eyes observe the issues of our country and our beloved nation. Pay attention to this; make friends happy and disappoint the ill-wishers.” 

The parliamentary elections are contested by over 15,000 candidates, while the Assembly of Experts elections are held among 161 candidates. The Assembly of Experts is a body that oversees the performance of the Leader and has the power to appoint or dismiss him.

The Iranian police said that 190,000 officers were deployed to ensure the security of the elections and that there were no law enforcement or security problems anticipated. The border guards were also on full alert and monitored the border traffic.

According to Article Six of the Iranian Constitution, the administration of the affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran should be based on the public opinion expressed by the means of elections.

Iran has held 40 rounds of different elections, including presidential and parliamentary ones, since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

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