• Iran presidential election 2024: Hardliner faces reformist in presidential run-off
• Iranian voters head to the polls on Friday to choose a new president in a run-off election
• The candidates are: hardline conservative Saeed Jalili and reformist Dr Massoud Pezeshkian
• This follows a first round on June 28, which saw a record-low voter turnout of 40%, and no candidate securing a majority
• Preliminary election results are expected by Saturday morning

Iran presidential election 2024: Hardliner faces reformist in presidential run-off

Iranian voters head to the polls on Friday to choose a new president in a run-off election between hardline conservative Saeed Jalili and reformist Dr Massoud Pezeshkian. This follows a first round on June 28, which saw a record-low voter turnout of 40%, and no candidate securing a majority.

Dr Pezeshkian, a former heart surgeon, has been vocal against Iran’s morality police and has promised “unity and cohesion,” aiming to end Iran’s international isolation. He advocates for constructive negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which involved Iran curbing its nuclear program in exchange for easing Western sanctions.

His opponent, Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator, holds strong anti-Western views and opposes the nuclear deal, saying it violates Iran’s “red lines.” Jalili has significant support from Iran’s most religious communities.

Both candidates passed the stringent vetting process of the Guardian Council, which disqualified 74 other hopefuls, including several women. The council’s role in disqualifying candidates not loyal to the regime has faced criticism from human rights groups.

📹 The moment Imam Khamenei cast his is vote in Iran's 14th presidential runoff elections on July 5, 2024. pic.twitter.com/hikdRKDIUl

— Khamenei Media (@Khamenei_m) July 5, 2024

Voter apathy is high, especially among young and middle-class Iranians, following years of civil unrest and anti-regime protests in 2022-23. The Persian hashtag “traitorous minority” has trended on social media, urging a boycott of the election.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the low turnout as a rejection of his rule, acknowledging some discontent but maintaining it is not widespread opposition to the establishment.

Iranian media is encouraging voter participation, with reformist newspaper Sazandegi emphasising “the future is tied to your votes,” and the state broadcaster-run Jaam-e Jam highlighting Iran “awaiting the people.”

Preliminary election results are expected by Saturday morning.