Iran Interior Ministry closely monitoring voting process: Minister

Iran’s Interior Ministry says it is closely monitoring the process of voting and will take immediate action to investigate any suspected violation of law.

Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar told reporters on Friday that the entire process of voting is recorded in the comprehensive elections system.

He added that the representatives of the six candidates are present at all polling stations which is in line with the measures taken to increase the transparency of the voting process.

He further said that vote counting will start across the country immediately after polls close, stressing that the ministry will not sacrifice precision and transparency for speed.

Polls officially opened in Iran for presidential and city and rural council elections at 8:00 am (0330 GMT) on Friday. The time will be extended if necessary.

On measures adopted to hold the presidential election abroad, the minister said Iranian nationals overseas can vote in 290 polling centers set up in 96 countries.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.

Six candidates, namely President of the Expediency Council’s Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi are running in the presidential election.

Over 200,000 candidates are also running for city and rural council elections.