Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Casts His Vote in Tehran, Polls Open at 08:00

Fri Feb 26, 2016 09:07:42

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in the early hours of Friday morning, cast his vote for the fifth round of Assembly of Experts and tenth parliamentary election in Tehran.

In the opening hour of the voting, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballots at a polling station in downtown Tehran. The Supreme Leader attended the polling station No. 110 and casted his votes.

In a message to the nation, Ayatollah Khamenei called on all Iranians to participate in the elections, saying "voting is both a right and a duty."

“Anybody who loves Iran; anyboyd who loves the Islamic Republic and national dignity, grandeur and glory is advised to participate in the elections,” the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei also recommended the voters to cast their ballots with the dignity and independence of the country on their minds.

“The enemies have their covetous eyes trained on Iran. People are advised to vote with discretion and foresight and disappoint the enemies,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. 

Around 55 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the two elections.

As many as 4,844 candidates, including about 500 women, are competing for a place in the Parliament, head of the Interior Ministry's election headquarters Mohammad Hossein Moqimi said on Thursday.

In the capital Tehran, some 1,000 candidates compete for 30 parliamentary seats. Five seats also go to the religious minorities recognized in the Iranian Constitution, namely Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians.

S/SH 11

string(1934) "[{"id":"1781180","sort":"3500874","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/20/alalam_635888987517217778_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO: Supreme Leader Says Nuclear Deal Result of Iranian Nation Endeavors"} ,{"id":"1782308","sort":"3500875","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/23/alalam_635891783040293381_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"By VIDEO, Washington Never Sincere in Motives: Supreme Leader"} ,{"id":"1782522","sort":"3500876","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/24/alalam_635892494212160827_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO: Supreme Leader Hails IRGC’s Arrest of Trespassing US Sailors"} ,{"id":"1784462","sort":"3500877","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/30/alalam_635897668565591589_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"Iran Supreme Leader Pays Tribute to Founder of Islamic Republic + VIDEO"} ,{"id":"1784785","sort":"3500878","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/31/alalam_635898513702568360_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Confers ‘Fath’ Medal on IRGC Commanders"} ,{"id":"1785062","sort":"3500879","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/02/01/alalam_635899267413867868_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"See “Medal of Conquest” Supreme Leader Conferred to IRGC Commanders"} ,{"id":"1785104","sort":"3500880","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/02/01/alalam_635899352959251927_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Supreme Leader’s Top Advisor Arrives in Moscow for Talks"} ,{"id":"1787487","sort":"3500881","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/02/08/alalam_635905616935329371_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO, Europe’s Independent Will under US Domination: Supreme Leader"} ,{"id":"1789384","sort":"3500882","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/02/14/alalam_635910792402279214_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Independent States Must Tighten Ranks: Iran Supreme Leader"} ,{"id":"1790342","sort":"3500883","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/02/17/alalam_635913199325561131_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO: Supreme Leader Warns of Enemy Plots against Iran’s Upcoming Votes"} ]"