Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced on Thursday that the country had begun registering candidates for an early election scheduled for next month, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Raisi’s untimely death has ignited a competition among hardliners to influence the nomination of Iran’s future leader.
Following a five-day registration process, the Guardian Council, which oversees elections and legislation, will vet the candidates vying for president.
“The vetting process will be seven days and then qualified candidates will have almost two weeks for the election campaign”, Vahidi continued.
The Guardian Council will provide a list of qualifying candidates on June 11.
Moderate lawmakers have accused the 12-member hardline Guardian Council of rejecting challengers for hardline candidates, who are poised to dominate the forthcoming presidential election.
Turnout may be impacted by limited voting options and mounting unhappiness over a variety of political, social, and economic concerns.
Within Iran’s complicated system of clerical rulers and elected politicians, Khamenei has the last say on all state decisions, including nuclear and foreign policies. However, the elected president will be responsible for addressing the worsening economic situation.
Insiders say that candidates who may be registered include Parviz Fattah, a former Guards member who runs an investment fund loyal to the leader, and Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator who oversaw Khamenei’s office for four years in 2001.
Iranian media has also speculated that Ali Larijani, a former speaker of parliament and adviser to Khamenei, and interim president Mohammad Mokhber could be the next president. Larijani was forbidden from running in the 2021 presidential election.
Several low-key moderate lawmakers are expected to enter the campaign.
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