IRANIANS IN MALAYSIA VOTE TO ELECT NEW PRESIDENT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Iranians in Malaysia voted Friday to elect the new President of the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s embassy in Malaysia, in a statement to Bernama, said the voting was held in two places, namely at its embassy here in Kuala Lumpur and in Johor. 

Voting began at 8am ended at 6pm.

Results of the election is expected to be announced by Iran’s Interior Ministry late on Saturday.

If no candidate secures an outright majority, the election will proceed to a second round, scheduled to take place on July 5.

The 14th presidential election was held following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Iran’s Guardian Council had approved six candidates for the contest; however, two contenders withdrew from the race on Thursday, leaving four candidates from different political spectrums to vie for the post. 

They are Saeed Jalili, a former lead nuclear negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iranian Parliament speaker, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, former interior minister, and Masoud Pezeshkian, former health minister.

This election process is crucial for determining Iran's new leader and comes at a time of significant political transition and public interest, the embassy said.

“This election marks a pivotal moment for Iran, with the new president expected to address both domestic and international challenges facing the nation. 

“The global community watches closely as the results unfold, hopeful for a smooth transition of power following the sudden loss of President Raisi,” it added.

-- BERNAMA