Iran opposition complains of election ‘infractions’

TEHRAN: Before voting had even concluded in Iran’s presidential election on Friday, the head of the opposition campaign complained of multiple “infractions” and called for an intervention by authorities.

The campaign chief for hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi said there had been “propaganda actions by certain officials and supporters of the government” in favor of President Hassan Rouhani, who is seeking re-election.

“Such infractions are immoral actions that violate people’s rights,” said Ali Nikzad.

Iranian election rules state that no one can seek to influence voters once the campaign finishes 24 hours before the polls open.

Another official in Raisi’s campaign said there had been 219 infractions so far and that not enough ballot papers had been distributed in areas thought to favor Raisi, including his home city of Mashhad. There was no immediate comment from Rouhani’s team. The conservative-dominated Guardian Council must validate the results of election.

Earlier on Friday, Iranians poured into polling stations to deliver their verdict on President Rouhani and his troubled efforts to rebuild ties with the world and kickstart the struggling economy.

There was a festive atmosphere in Tehran where Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, was mobbed by cheering supporters as he cast his ballot in a mosque in the city center.

“The enthusiastic participation of Iranians in the election reinforces our national power and security,” he said, as polling stations reported queues were far bigger than in last year’s parliamentary election.

Meanwhile, officials announced they would keep polling stations open for an extra two hours on Friday evening after many people queued for hours to cast their ballots.

Rouhani has sought to frame the vote as a choice between greater civil liberties and “extremism.”

But he faces stiff competition from Raisi, who has positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West.

“We must all respect the vote of the people,” Raisi said as he cast his ballot in southern Tehran.

He has targeted working- class voters hit by high unemployment and subsidy cuts, as well as those who worry the values of the 1979 revolution are under threat.

“His main focus is deprived people and he wants to fight corruption,” said Mohsen, a 32-year-old Raisi supporter.

“Rouhani did a lot of work that I praise him for, but we cannot rely on foreigners. Our country is surrounded by enemies — if we don’t strengthen our domestic situation, we will be harmed.”