Imam Khamenei wants candidates to help winner: Head of Imam’s Office

Head of the Office of The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei has called on the presidential candidates to assist the winner of the June 14 election.

Addressing the candidates during a visit to the Election Headquarters in Tehran on Friday, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani said The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei wants those who lose the vote to work with the president-elect.

The future president needs the help of others because he will be shouldering the heavy responsibility of running the country over the next four years, he said.

On Friday, millions of Iranian voters headed for polling stations to cast their ballots and choose the country’s 11th president as well as their representatives at the city and village councils.

The Iranian Interior Ministry has extended the voting time by four hours to 10 p.m. (1730 GMT) due to the high turnout.

In Tehran province, extra ballots were sent to the polling stations while officials predicted that the voter turnout would hit 70 percent in the province.

Vote counting will begin at the polling stations immediately after the polls close.

There have been no reports of irregularities or security incidents at the polling stations.

The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballot as soon as the polls opened at 8 a.m. local time (0330).