Following President Ebrahim Raisi’s unexpected death, Iran has scheduled a snap presidential election for June 28.
The registration period recently closed, and 80 candidates declared their intent to run, as Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed. This election predominates conservative and ultraconservative candidates, although moderates, reformists, and a few middle-ranking clerics, including four women, are also in the mix.
Notable Candidates
Among the most recognized figures is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the 67-year-old former president known for his confrontational stance on international issues, who is making another bid for the presidency. Other prominent contenders include Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the current parliament speaker; Ali Larijani, a moderate and former speaker; and Saeed Jalili, a staunch conservative and former nuclear negotiator.
Vetting Process
All candidates must receive approval from the Guardian Council, a conservative-led body that vets eligibility candidates. In the past, this process has significantly narrowed the field; for example, in the 2021 elections, only seven out of 592 applicants were approved. This stringent vetting process has historically favoured conservative candidates, contributing to lower voter turnout, such as the 49 per cent participation rate in 2021—the lowest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Women Candidates
While no woman has been allowed to run for president since 1979, there is no legal ban on female candidates. This year, four women have submitted their candidacies, among them conservative Zohreh Elahian, who has faced European Union sanctions for human rights violations.
The Role of the President
In Iran, the president’s role, while significant in governing, is subordinate to the supreme leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority over the state. The president influences government policy and direction but does not hold the head of state title, emphasising the Islamic republic’s unique political structure.
