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A woman shows a victory sign after a campaign rally in early June.
A woman shows a victory sign after a campaign rally in early June.

Iran Election Blog

Updated

On June 14, Iranians head to the polls in the country's first presidential election since the contested vote in 2009, the aftermath of which saw hundreds of thousands of protesters take to the streets to demonstrate against the results. Here, RFE/RL editors will compile some of the best tidbits from the last few days of the campaign, including comments sent by Iranians to RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

13:01 10.6.2013
From Pouria on Facebook: "This election is an opportunity for Mr. Khamenei to do whatever he can to restore the credibility that Ahmadinejad took away from him."
13:04 10.6.2013
Nader from Isfahan sends an SMS: "The election debates were completely engineered, avoiding the important problems and delving into unrelated issues."

For more on the debates, see our coverage of the first, second, and third rounds.


13:14 10.6.2013

"S" from Sanandaj writes via Facebook: "I think Sunnis and women in Iran should not vote because they do not have the right to get elected [to the presidency]"

13:34 10.6.2013
A person purporting to be a Basij militia member -- who are obliged to vote in elections -- calls in: "I am a Basiji from the Western Azerbaijan state and I am not going to vote in these elections. Let the people know what it means when a Basiji does not vote."

Members of Iran's basij militia in a parade [UNDATED]
Members of Iran's basij militia in a parade [UNDATED]
22:50 10.6.2013
From "Irandoost" via email: "As a matter of fact I am a patriot and I’ll definitely participate in the elections. There are diverse groups and preferences represented among the candidates. I vote for the principal. Thanks."
22:56 10.6.2013
Omid from Isfahan texts: "My message to Iranians: If you want the country to be saved, go and vote for Mr. Rohani"

RFE/RL's profile of Hassan Rohani here. His campaign tweets in (mainly) English as well, follow @HassanRouhani.


The former nuclear negotiator may yet have a chance
The former nuclear negotiator may yet have a chance
07:14 11.6.2013
Ramin writes on Facebook: "In my opinion the election campaigning will not have any effect. As far as I know the majority of the people will not go to vote."
07:16 11.6.2013
An anonymous SMS from Iran: "Mr. Khamenei is a great leader and the pride of every Iranian."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
07:24 11.6.2013

Hassan sends and SMS from Kerman (southeastern Iran): "Voting has no meaning in a country where its leaders think they are the best in the world in every sphere. In this summer heat, we don’t have electricity for 4-5 hours a day."

07:35 11.6.2013

On Facebook, Bahman writes: "In my opinion we should participate in the elections and show that the Green Movement is alive and make it harder for the regime, which intends to alter the vote count."


Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets Tehran against alleged fraud in the 2009 presidential elections
Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets Tehran against alleged fraud in the 2009 presidential elections

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