Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, won Iran’s presidential election, defeating his conservative rival, Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian got 53.3% of the votes, while Jalili got 44.3%. The run-off election happened because no one got a majority in the first round, which had a very low voter turnout of 40%.
The election took place because the former president, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a helicopter crash in May. Pezeshkian’s win led to celebrations in Tehran and other cities, with young people dancing and waving green flags.
Pezeshkian, a 71-year-old heart surgeon and member of Iran’s parliament, has promised to unify the country and end its isolation. He also wants to renew negotiations with Western countries over the 2015 nuclear deal. Jalili, on the other hand, prefers to maintain the current situation and is against the nuclear deal.
The second round of voting had a 50% turnout, higher than the first round but still low. Many Iranians did not vote because they felt their choices were limited and that real change was impossible under the current regime. Some voters chose Pezeshkian to avoid more confrontations with the West and further sanctions that they feared Jalili would bring.
Both candidates had to pass a strict vetting process by the Guardian Council, which disqualified 74 other candidates, including women. This council has been criticized for only allowing candidates loyal to the regime. After years of protests and unrest, many Iranians, especially the young and middle class, distrust the establishment.
On social media, some people urged others not to vote, calling anyone who did a “traitor.” Despite the low turnout, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed claims that it indicated rejection of his rule. He acknowledged that some Iranians do not support the current regime but said their voices are heard.
Credit: BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx824yl3ln4o