Registration of candidates for Iran’s presidential race ends

TEHRAN: Saturday marked the last day that candidates could register for Iran’s presidential elections next month. Incumbent President Hassan Rowhani cannot stand for re-election after two terms in office.

Among the government camp, Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri is standing for election. He was the most popular politician for a long time, but disappointed many reformers with his more conservative stance during his time as deputy. Among the opposition, Judiciary Chief Ibrahim Raeissi is a the preferred contender of the hardliners and conservatives.

The 60-year-old is said to be the top candidate, also favoured by the establishment and religious leaders. Reformers, however, accuse him of wanting to curb civil and women’s rights. Ali Larijani, former speaker of parliament, registered his candidacy on Saturday.

After distancing himself from former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the hardliner camp, he is said to be moderately conservative. Ahmadinejad himself also wants to run for election. Considered a hardliner in the past, he is now more critical of the system and is likely to be rejected by the Guardian Council, which vets and approves all the candidates.

Renowned reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh on Friday also announced his candidacy, the first time a regime critic has registered for the role in the Islamic Republic.