Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Tehran, SANA- Iranians began on Friday voting in two crucial elections to choose members of Parliament (Shura council) and the Assembly of Experts.
Voting for the 290-seat Parliament and the 88- member Assembly of Experts will be held simultaneously.
As many as 4,844 candidates, including about 500 women, are competing for Parliament seats,while 161 other candidates are running for the Assembly of Experts.
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Sayyed Ali Khamenei, after casting his ballot, urged all those who love Iran to take part in the vote.
“I advise people from all walks of life to take part in these elections,” Khamenei said, adding that “the elections are of prime importance and all Iranians who love their country should go to the polling stations and cast their ballots as the elections bring the country glory and dignity”He said.
For his part, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, after casting his vote, “All Iranians from different groups and parties have taken part in voting, all of them will come out victorious regardless of whether they win or lose in elections.”
Members of the Assembly serve eight-year terms while MPs are elected every four years.
Rouhani added “Today, all friends and foes are carefully watching the Islamic Iran and I have no doubt that the Iranian nation will create another epic as always in these sensitive conditions based on their understanding and ideas.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, after casting his vote, “the international community will better feel Iran’s power in the polls and gets the message that one should talk to Iranians with the language of respect, not pressure.”
He added “the bigger turnout in the ongoing elections will better demonstrate the country’s might and dignity.”
Earlier, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani said opinion polls and estimates showed the turnout would be between 65 and 75 percent.
For his part, Head of the election committee in Tehran Shehab Eddin Jawshi announced that 6.138 constituencies have been set by the executive bodies in all parts of the country, pointing out that the highest number of voters is in the capital of Tehran reaching 8,500,000.
Polls are slated to close at 18:00 O’clock on Friday, but voting hours could be extended if the need arises amid expectations of a high turnout.
Reem/Barry
