Iran

The voting for the presidential elections in Iran is currently underway, with citizens set to choose the successor of former president Ebrahim Raisi. 

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Voting commenced on Friday (July 5) at 7 am local time and is expected to end at 6 pm, according to local media.

However, voting is usually extended until midnight in some areas due to low turnout and disturbances.

Also read: Iran elections: Will cardiac surgeon Pezeshkian win hearts in runoff?

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It may be mentioned here that the presidential run-off follows a ballot held on June 28, with a historic low turnout, where over 60% voters refrained from the snap election for a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash.

The presidential elections are set to be a close race between two key candidates - Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili.

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Pezeshkian was the sole moderate in the original field of four candidates, while Jalili is a hardliner and former nuclear negotiator.

The elections are important due to regional tensions in the Middle East and Iran's tense relations with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Analysts suggest that a victory for Jalili might lead to increased hostilities with the West and potentially more antagonistic domestic and foreign policies. 

Meanwhile, Pezeshkian is expected to promote a more pragmatic foreign policy and a liberalised regime in the country.

Masoud Pezeshkian Vs Saeed Jalili: The runoff battle

A total of six candidates, five of whom were deemed hardliners, were declared for the presidential ballot. But the two backed off a day before polling to purportedly ensure more decisive support to the candidate most favourable for the "ideology of Islamic republic. 

The lone reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian managed to lead past hardliner and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. But in case of a runoff, the supporters of two other conservative candidates from the first round are likely to vote for Jalili, making a return of reformist as Iran's president rather difficult.

Also read | India-Iran ties in Ebrahim Raisi years: Between BRICS, Chabahar and Central Asia connectivity

But the silver-lining for Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon, lies in two factors. One, the conventional support for a reformist candidate among the Iranian urban dwellers and middle class, some of whom call for better ties with the global powers to escape the impact of crippling US economic sanctions. 

Second, it's the voter turnout.

The first round of voting saw just about 40 per cent of all registered voters turning out to vote, the lowest since 1979 revolution. The densest numbers of voters turned out at rural polling centres, where conservatives reign supreme.

If Pezeshkian manages to get more Iranians out of their homes on runoff day, he may still stand a chance. 

(With inputs from agencies)