In a shock twist, Masoud Pezeshkian, a “moderate” reformist candidate, has secured about a million-vote lead ahead of Saturday’s election results, securing the front spot with a runoff election set to take place on July 5. He will compete against hardliner Saeed Jalili, who secured the support of more conservative voters.
Despite managing to outpoll his opposition, Pezeshkian cannot yet claim victory, as voter turnout dipped to a record low, totaling 40 percent of eligible voters, including both those who voted for reform-minded candidates and those who did not partake in the electoral process due to perceived manipulation by authorities. Many Iranians doubt their electoral choices have a substantive impact due to the Guardian Council, and so, the prospect of reformists successfully altering the status quo remained in question.
In his last contest, President Ebrahim Raisi earned 18 million votes; yet, this year, even turnout surpassing that of the inaugural presidential election did not ensure similar turnout. Critics argue the election mechanism permits only the appearance of viable choice, as the regime selectively narrows the field of candidates.
Embracing a platform centered around advocating for improved women’s headcovering laws and strengthening international alliances for economic stability, Pezeshkian managed to captivate certain segments of the Iranian audience, setting him apart from other candidates during Friday’s election.
His only direct competitor, Jalili, differs dramatically in his approach, denigrating Raisi’s unsuccessful policies for the country’s dire economic circumstance but also exhibiting deep disdain toward the Western world.
British broadsheet The Guardian noted Iranians appeared pessimistic regarding regime-linked press coverage of the election’s popularity and excitement.
Abbas Akhoundi, a reformist representative, hypothesized that even more will shy away from participating in the imminent July 5 runoff election than have done so in the leadup to this election.
