Ayatollah Khamenei:

Calm, secure Iran preparing for polls

Rasa - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran is preparing for its presidential elections in a secure and calm environment at the heart of a region rife with unrest.

News ID: 429703

Date: 17 May 2017 - 22:37

RNA - “Look at the regional countries. Is there any place where there is no insecurity? In this insecure assortment, the Islamic Republic is preparing for elections with security and calm,” Ayatollah Khamenei said at a Wednesday meeting with people from different walks of life in Tehran.

“This is very valuable,” the Leader said, adding that people were awaiting the event with “passion.”

All administrative, monitoring and security bodies are at work to safeguard the May 19 elections, the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei said these organizations have the nation’s trust, but still urged them to exercise utmost care and help protect people’s votes.

“Some may seek to commit fraud in this midst. The Iranian people have enemies. In the face of the enemy, the people’s countenance should indicate will power, conviction, self-confidence, calm and equilibrium,” the Leader added.

The Leader said Iran’s people and Islamic establishment will be the eventual winners of the May 19 election, no matter who emerges victorious in the race.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the nation to observe discipline both in the run-up to the polls, the Election Day itself, and the days that follow. “This discipline and the people’s commitment to order and law is very significant,” the Leader added.

It was the Islamic establishment that awarded the nation the freedom to elect presidents as well as members of the City and Village Councils , the Leader said, referring to the twin elections on Friday.

The Leader described free elections in Iran as a “dream for the nations in our region, whose governments are backed and dominated by the United States.”

“Regional nations have pinned their eyes, with praise and envy, on people’s turnout in the Friday election to once again witness the grandeur of the Iranian nation, the freedom in the Islamic establishment and the religious democracy,” the Leader added.

The electorate will head to the polls on Friday to choose among incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raeisi, who has served in different capacities at the Iranian Judiciary, Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, a current member of Iran’s Expedience Council, and Mostafa Hashemi-Taba, a former vice president.

Iranians will also choose members of Iran’s City and Village Councils on the same day.

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