INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Iranians started voting on Friday for a new president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, choosing from a tightly
controlled group of four candidates loyal to the supreme leader at a time of growing public frustration.State television showed queues
inside polling stations in several cities
More than 61 million Iranians are eligible to vote
Polls were due to close at 6 p.m
(1430 GMT), but are usually extended as late as midnight, Reuters reported. The election coincides with escalating regional tension due to
war between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as increased Western pressure on Iran over its
fast-advancing nuclear program.While the election is unlikely to bring a major shift in the Islamic Republic&s policies, its outcome could
influence the succession to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran&s 85-year-old supreme leader, in power since 1989.Khamenei called for a high
turnout to offset a legitimacy crisis fuelled by public discontent over economic hardship and curbs on political and social freedom.&The
durability, strength, dignity and reputation of the Islamic Republic depend on the presence of people,& Khamenei told state television after
&High turnout is a definite necessity.&Voter turnout has plunged over the past four years, as a mostly youthful population chafes at
political and social curbs.Manual counting of ballots means it is expected to be two days before the final result is announced, though
initial figures may come out around midday on Saturday.If no candidate wins at least 50% plus one vote from all ballots cast, including
blank votes, a run-off round between the top two candidates is held on the first Friday after the election result is declared.Three
candidates are hardliners and one is a low-profile comparative moderate, backed by the reformist faction that has largely been sidelined in
Iran in recent years.Critics of Iran&s clerical rule say the low and declining turnout of recent elections shows the system&s legitimacy has
Just 48% of voters participated in the 2021 election that brought Raisi to power, and turnout hit a record low of 41% in a parliamentary
election three months ago.The next president is not expected to usher in any major policy shift on Iran&s nuclear programme or support for
militia groups across the Middle East, since Khamenei calls all the shots on top state matters.However, the president runs the government
day-to-day and can influence the tone of Iran&s foreign and domestic policy.The post Iran&s presidential election officially kicks off first
