Tehran, Iran – The 2024 Iranian presidential election, held on June 28, 2024, was marked by a historically low voter turnout of just 39.93%, the lowest since the 1979 revolution.
This election was called early following the unexpected death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024.
The sudden demise of Raisi triggered a snap election, and with no candidate securing a majority in the first round, a runoff election is set for July 5, 2024. The top two finishers from the first round are:
- Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist-backed candidate, who garnered over 10.4 million votes (42.5%)
- Saeed Jalili, a hardline conservative, who received 9.5 million votes (38.8%)
The low turnout has been attributed to widespread public disillusionment following the 2022-2023 nationwide protests and the government’s subsequent crackdown.
Additionally, the Guardian Council disqualified many reformist and centrist candidates, further dampening voter enthusiasm.
Masoud Pezeshkian, seen as a more moderate figure, faces Saeed Jalili, a staunch conservative, in the upcoming runoff. Analysts believe that while Pezeshkian’s election might shift the rhetoric towards a more moderate tone, significant policy changes are unlikely as he remains loyal to Iran’s supreme leader.
The runoff vote on July 5 will provide a clearer choice between the reformist and hardline camps, potentially shaping Iran’s political landscape for years to come.
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