Iran declares presidential election victor

(MENAFN) Following a closely contested runoff election, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has emerged victorious in Iran's presidential race, securing 53.3% of the vote according to the national election authority's announcement on Saturday. Pezeshkian's conservative rival, Saeed Jalili, garnered 46.7% of the vote, marking the end of a competitive electoral process that began with a snap election following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, a former heart surgeon and experienced politician who previously served as Iran's health minister and later as first deputy speaker of parliament, clinched 16.4 million votes compared to Jalili's 13.5 million votes out of a total turnout of 30.5 million voters, representing 49.8% of eligible voters.

The election, necessitated by constitutional requirements after no candidate secured a majority in the initial round on June 28, saw Pezeshkian and Jalili advancing to a runoff as the top two contenders. Pezeshkian's victory underscores a significant political shift towards reform within Iran's political landscape.

Both candidates underwent scrutiny and approval by Iran's Guardian Council, a body composed of clerics and jurists vested with the authority to vet candidates and oversee legislative processes in the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian's win signals potential changes in Iran's domestic policies and international relations, given his reformist stance contrasting with Jalili's more conservative background as Tehran's former negotiator during nuclear talks with world powers.

The outcome of Iran's presidential election is poised to shape the country's trajectory amid regional and global dynamics, reflecting ongoing shifts and challenges within the Iranian political system and its implications for future governance and diplomacy.

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