Vice-Speaker: High Turnout in Election Proves Nation’s Trust in Islamic Republic

Vice-Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Reza Bahonar appreciated the people’s massive participation in the 11th presidential election in Iran on Friday, and said such high turnout indicted the nation’s trust in the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

“The massive and heavy presence of the people at the polling stations shows their trust in the Islamic Republic and indicates that the people are completely ensured that their votes are safeguarded and no problem may happen to their votes,” Bahonar told FNA on Saturday.

“The depth of the people’s confidence in the Supreme Leader and his stronger trust in the nation was displayed more yesterday,” he added.

Millions of Iranians on Friday went to the polling centers to vote in the country’s 11th presidential and 4th city and village councils elections.

Polling stations opened at 8 am (0330 GMT) Friday and were scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (1330 GMT) before the Interior Ministry was made to extend the voting hours for several times due to the large voter turnout.

Observers said turnout among the electorate was 75 percent.

Foreign reporters and journalists covering the elections were astounded to see large crowds standing in long queues at polling stations.

The BBC reporter said he has sighted areas with high public turnout and long queues of voters.

“There were very, very long queues on Sajjad Street in the eastern city of Mashhad,” a BBC Tehran Bureau correspondent reported.

“Both the women’s and men’s lines were overflowing. People were very excited and optimistic. They were talking about Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech after he voted,” he added.

Early poll results on Saturday showed that Hassan Rouhani, the former Iranian nuclear negotiator, is running ahead of the other candidates.