News / Sports

Iranian athletes cast their ballots in presidential election

Friday, 19 May 2017 10:44 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 19 May 2017 5:47 PM ]

Female members of Iran’s athletics team at the 4th edition of Islamic Solidarity Games pose for a photograph after casting their ballots in the presidential election at Iran’s Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 19, 2017.

Iranian sportsmen and women, who have scooped honor for their country at the ongoing 4th edition of Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan, have voted at the election in which four candidates, including incumbent Hassan Rouhani, are competing for the presidential post.

The main competition is between Rouhani and Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, who is the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

The polls opened at 8:00 local time (0330 GMT) on Friday. More than 56 million people are eligible to vote in the election. Exit polls are expected on Saturday.

This year’s presidential race also features two low-key contenders - former deputy judiciary chief and member of Iran’s Expediency Council Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim and former vice president, Mostafa Hashemi-Taba.

Two more consequential candidates, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Vice President Is’haq Jahangiri, dropped out of the race on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Qalibaf withdrew candidacy in favor of Raeisi and Jahangiri pulled out in favor of Rouhani.