Iran presidential election: Some citizens say more people may vote in July 5 presidential run-off

Iran recorded a historically low turnout in the snap presidential election, as only 40 per cent of more than 61 million eligible citizens voted. This was a new low in the election since the country’s 1979 revolution. Now, the snap election is heading into a run-off on July 5 betweenMassoud Pezeshkian and hardlinerSaeed Jalili.

Neither of the twocandidates secured more than 50 per centof votes needed to win Friday's election.On Saturday (June 29), Iranian citizens said that more people mightvote in the presidential run-off.

Opinions of citizens

Speaking to the news agency Reuters, a retired teacher who chose to remain anonymous said,"I feel like that this (the presidential run-off) could push people who did not come (to vote in the first round) to come this time. The number was low this time (for the first round)."

Another citizen, who also wished to keep their identity anonymous said, "Forty per cent is low because the number of people who could vote is about 60 million, so looking at the numbers, 40 per centparticipation is a medium rate."

A third citizen expressed concerns that participation would not be any higher in the run-off.

Pezeshkian ahead of Jalili by over 10 million votes

Friday's election to replaceEbrahim Raisi after his death in a helicopter crash came down to a tight race betweenlow-profile lawmaker Massoud Pezeshkian, the sole moderate in a field of four candidates, and former Revolutionary Guards member Saeed Jalili.

Also watch |Iran to hold run-off election between reformist Pezeshkian and hardliner Jalili

According to the interior ministry,Pezeshkian was leading with over 10 million votes ahead of Jalili with over 9.4 million votes. But neither of the twosecured more than 50 per centof votes.

Power inIranultimately lies with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, so the result will not herald any major policy shift onIran's nuclear programme or its support for militia groups across the Middle East.

(With inputs from agencies)