Irans interior minister says 60,000 polling stations have been set up across the country for the 11th presidential and 4th city and rural council elections.Speaking on national television on Thursday, Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar added that 130,000 ballot boxes have been prepared for the Election Day.
On measures adopted to hold the presidential election abroad, the minister said Iranian nationals overseas can vote in 290 polling centers set up in 96 countries.
Polls officially opened in Iran for presidential and city and rural council elections at 8:00 am (0330 GMT) on Friday.
The polls are scheduled to remain open for ten hours, Mohammad-Najjar said, adding that the time will be extended if necessary.
The Iranian minister noted that 1,040 executive teams are tasked with running the presidential election; with another 1,485 teams in charge of city and rural council elections.
He said ballot counting will begin at the polling stations immediately after the voting ends and the results will be announced as soon as possible.
Mohammad-Najjar added that 50,283,192 Iranians are eligible to vote, some 1.36 million of whom are first-time voters.
The minister also called on presidential candidates and their supporters to abide by law and avoid speculations on results before official tallies are announced.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
Six candidates, namely President of the Expediency Councils Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi are running in the presidential election.
Over 200,000 candidates are also running for city and rural council elections.
By Press TV
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