Since neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, a second round will be held between the two candidates with the most votes: reformist Masud Pezeshkian and principalist Said Yalili.
“I thank the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the people and all those involved in the holding of the elections,” said Vahidi, who praised the electoral process for its total security, the seriousness of the candidates and the valuable assistance of the voters at the polls.
“The elections were held on time and the votes were counted as soon as possible,” said the minister while encouraging the electoral campaigns for the second round to begin now.
Iranian Electoral Commission spokesman Mohsen Eslami confirmed that of the 24.5 million votes cast, Pezeshkian obtained 10.4 million and Jalili 9.4 million. The other two candidates, Mohamad Baqer Galibaf and Mostafa Purmohamadi, obtained 3.3 million and more than 206 thousand preferences respectively.
During next week’s runoff it will be decided who will fill the vacancy left by the late president Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter accident on May 19.
mem/ynr
