Presidential election in Iran: towards a high abstention rate
Faced with the rejection of the candidacies of three heavyweights on the Iranian political scene, the main conservative candidate, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raissi, head of Justice, himself said that he was conducting consultations to try to obtain the qualification of some candidates to make the election more competitive.
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6 mins
The Council of Guardians of the Constitution rejected the candidacy of three heavyweights on the political scene, the moderate conservative Ali Larijani (ex-speaker of Parliament for twelve years), the reformer Es-Hagh Jahanguiri, who occupies the post of first vice -President and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
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With our correspondent in Tehran
,
Siavosh Ghazi
The Council's decision caused a real shock.
The main conservative candidate, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raissi, head of Justice, himself said he was carrying out consultations to try to obtain the qualification of certain candidates so that the election is more competitive.
Indeed, not only the former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, popular in the underprivileged classes, was disqualified, but with the disqualification of the moderate conservative Ali Larijani and the reformer Es-Hagh Jahanguiri, the moderate groups do not have any candidate.
Ebrahim Raissi is often cited as the potential Supreme Leader in succession to Ali Khamenei;
but to become to become supreme leader in Iran it is not a legal obligation, but it is always preferable to have won a presidential election
IRAN _ (morning) Sound Vincent Eiffling "Raissi elected president, future dolphin of Khameney" MORNING
Towards a high abstention rate
Several polls already predicted a strong abstention because of the
economic situation
and inflation which exceeds 50%.
Many voters say they do not want to vote, like Behzad, a 56-year-old retiree who has to take the taxi to support his family, especially his unemployed son.
“
To tell the truth, no, I will not vote.
Because life has been completely turned upside down over the past eight years.
We have experienced high inflation and yet I am a veteran.
The result of all these efforts does not have to be so many difficulties.
I would be surprised if people went to vote.
"
Ebrahim Raissi, the incorruptible
Many interviewees make no secret of their anger by saying that none of the candidates will be able to improve the situation.
But others like Seyed Mehdi, a 70-year-old retiree, remain hopeful: “
I will vote for Raissi because he is determined and does not let go and correct things.
"
Ebrahim Raissi has a pretty good image in Iran too, even among the center and the moderates, as he has a reputation for being incorruptible in a system that is plagued by corruption.
IRAN _ (morning) Sound Vincent Eiffling "Raïssi can seduce the electorate but not immune to a surprise" MORNING
Participation is a crucial issue in this election.
During the
2020 legislative elections
, abstention reached 56%.
Which could happen again.
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Iran
Hassan Rouhani
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Presidential election in Iran: the candidatures of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Larijani invalidated