Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei commented on the low turnout and votes in the presidential elections held last Friday, emphasizing that the second round of the presidential elections is "very important." According to the Iranian agency "Tasnim," the Supreme Leader stated during a meeting with the directors and professors of the Martyr Motahari School that the second round of the presidential elections is crucial.
He added, "Those who love Islam, the Islamic Republic, and the advancement of the country should demonstrate that through their participation in the elections." Khamenei continued, "It is completely incorrect to believe that those who did not vote in the first round are against the system."
He noted, "Many people have problems, work, or troubles, or did not participate in voting for other reasons, and God willing, in the second round, we will witness a large and exciting turnout at the ballot boxes that will be a source of honor and pride for the system."
Iran held early elections last Friday following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. Prominent MP Masoud Pezeshkian received 42.5% of the votes, leading over Saeed Jalili, the Iranian leader's representative on the National Security Council and former negotiator on the nuclear file, who garnered 38.6% of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections.
The ruling establishment had hoped for a large turnout, but the participation rate in last Friday's elections was recorded at a historically low level of around 40%.
