As a result of Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash on Thursday, Iran began the official registration process for presidential candidates in preparation for a snap election next month.
“Candidate registration for the 14th presidential elections started at 8am (0430 GMT) … at the interior ministry,” said an official IRNA news agency.
The registration period will last five days, informed IRNA.
The sudden demise of Raisi on May 19 necessitated moving up the 2025 slated elections date.
Raisi and seven other persons including foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian lost their lives when their chopper went down on a foggy hillside in northern Iran.
Following this disaster, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed his vice president Mohammad Mokhber, 68, as the caretaker president, according to constitutional provisions.
On Thursday “about thirty people” reportedly came to file their nominations but it was stated that “none of them fulfilled the minimum requirements.”
Under Iranian electoral law, applicants must fall within the age bracket of forty to seventy-five years and have acquired at least master’s degrees.
Like previous election cycles, major aspirants from Iran’s primary political factions are expected to present their requests towards the conclusion of allowed period.
The final list of candidates will be made public by June 11th through Guardian Council which consists of twelve jurists chosen or confirmed by Ayatollahs Khamenei; these are .
This body had previously barred numerous reformist and moderate contenders during the 2021 presidential elections resulting in victory by ultraconservative Raisi.
Only 48.8% participated in that election marking one of its lowest turnouts ever.