Iran has started the formal registration of presidential candidates ahead of a snap election next month, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash earlier this month.
Originally scheduled for 2025, the election has been moved up to June 28 due to Raisi’s untimely death on May 19.
“Candidate registration for the 14th presidential elections began at 8am [04:30 GMT] at the interior ministry,” reported the official IRNA news agency.
According to IRNA, presidential hopefuls will have five days to register. Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, died when their aircraft crashed on a foggy mountainside in northern Iran.
In response to the tragedy, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, 68, as caretaker president in accordance with the constitution.
On Thursday, state media stated that “around 30 people” applied for candidacy, but none met the basic qualifications.
AFP reported that former reformist lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian and conservative parliamentarian Mohammadreza Sabaghian were among those who submitted their applications to the Ministry of Interior.
According to Iran’s electoral law, candidates must be between 40 and 75 years old and hold at least a master’s degree.
Like in past election cycles, it’s anticipated that the primary candidates from Iran’s prominent political factions will submit their applications towards the latter part of the registration period.
Reportedly considering a run are figures such as Saeed Jalili, a conservative politician who previously served as the chief nuclear negotiator under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Additionally, former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a political ally of former President Hassan Rouhani, is said to be under pressure to join the race.
There’s also speculation that Mohammad Mokhber, the caretaker president, may decide to file his candidacy.
The Guardian Council, a 12-member body of jurists appointed or approved by the supreme leader, will announce the final list of candidates on June 11.
Ahead of the 2021 presidential election, the body disqualified multiple reformist figures, which ultimately contributed to the victory of the ultraconservative Raisi.
Voter turnout in that election hit a record low at just 48.8 percent of all registered voters.
The upcoming June vote occurs amid the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and the Tehran-backed Palestinian group Hamas, as well as sustained diplomatic tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
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