Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei

56 million people were reportedly eligible to vote in Friday's election, and initials fears surrounding a low turnout proved to be completely unfounded as 70 per cent of total eligible voters came in to exercise their right.

The choice was between the moderate incumbent, Hassan Rouhani, and conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi. Moderates and pragmatists seeking greater political and social freedoms have mostly been barred.

A considerable part of this year's voters were women, who were first granted the right to vote in Iran in 1963 but have continued to face restrictions on their right.

Polling opened at 0430 GMT and ends at 1430 GMT, but can be extended until midnight, or 2030 GMT. Eligible voters who are older than 18 number about 58 million, in a country of 83 million.
As ballots are counted manually, the final result could take three days to announce, but partial results may emerge sooner.