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Iranians head to the polls for presidential vote

President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate, is facing off against conservative frontrunner Ebrahim Raisi.

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An estimated 56.4 million people are eligible to vote in Iran's presidential and local elections on May 19. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
By Mohammad Ali Najib
Published On 19 May 2017

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Tehran – Iranians were headed to the polls on Friday for the first presidential election since the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, in a vote that could have serious implications for the future of the country and its relationship with the West.

President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate, was seeking a second term as he faced off against Ebrahim Raisi, the frontrunner among the conservative set.

The position of president is the second most powerful in Iran after the Supreme Leader, who is commander-in-chief and controls the Guardian Council. The May 19 vote will be the first stage, with a possible runoff vote if none of the candidates wins a simple majority of 50 percent +1 of the votes.

All voting is to be concluded before the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

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An estimated 1.35 million people are first-time voters - those who turned 18 since the last election - according to the election commission. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Iranians can cast their ballots in 65,000 polling stations across the country, while Iranians overseas can vote in 140 countries. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Supporters of incumbent President Hassan Rouhani chant slogans on the streets of Tehran after a recent campaign meeting. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Rouhani supporters gather inside the Azadi stadium in Tehran, filling the 12,000-seat arena to capacity. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Supporters of conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi hold up posters calling for change. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Unemployment in Iran stands at about 13 percent nationally, while nearly 30 percent of youth have no job. Unemployment has become a focal point in the election. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Rouhani is hoping to secure a second term in office, but has faced a stiff challenge from Raisi. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of votes cast, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff election later this month. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Former presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf greets supporters during the campaign. Ghalibaf dropped out of the race on Monday, throwing his support behind Raisi. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Raisi's fans show off a message on their hands in support of their chosen candidate. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Raisi has said that Iran does not need foreign help, promising a revival of the values of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]