Iran is currently in the midst of a presidential election runoff between reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and ultra-conservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. The election, which comes after the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, has seen record low turnout with only 39.9% of eligible voters casting their ballots in the initial round.
Pezeshkian, who is backed by reformists and moderates, has expressed his desire to loosen social restrictions such as Iran's strict hijab law and improve relations with the West. He also aims to potentially restart nuclear talks with world powers if elected.
On the other hand, Jalili, an ultra-conservative candidate, wants to maintain strict adherence to Islamic laws and has taken a hardline stance on foreign policy issues. He has been endorsed by some high-ranking officials including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Despite the importance of this election, many Iranians have expressed their disillusionment with the political system and have chosen to stay away from the polls. Some argue that there is little difference between the two candidates and see no reason to vote.
The low turnout has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the election results and whether they truly represent the will of the Iranian people. It also highlights a growing sense of disenchantment with Iran's political establishment, which has failed to address many of the country's pressing issues such as economic difficulties and social unrest.
Former Iranian Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has warned that Iran could fall into the hands of groups like the Taliban if Pezeshkian is elected due to his perceived soft stance on foreign policy issues. However, it is important to note that these are just warnings and not facts.
The outcome of this election will have significant implications for Iran's domestic and foreign policies, as well as its relations with the international community. It remains to be seen whether the Iranian people will turn out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote or if they will continue to stay away from the polls.
