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All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.
All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.

Live Blog: Iran's Final Presidential Debate

* The six candidates approved for Iran's strictly vetted presidential ballot are appearing for the last of three live televised debates before the May 19 election. The topic is economics.

* Iranian President Hassan Rohani is seeking a second four-year term. His main challenges from the conservative side are expected to come from cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. (Read profiles of the candidates.)

* The official campaign period ends on May 17, two days before voting in the first round of a possible two-round election. If no candidate gets more than half of the vote, the second round would be held on May 26.

* Official media put the number of eligible voters at around 55 million.

* In the first debate, the candidates clashed over Rohani's record on job creation. In the second debate, Rohani's conservative rivals accused him of having failed to "cash the check" from the 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Tehran (GMT +4 1/2)

12:54 28.4.2017

Next question is about housing particularly for the youth.

12:57 28.4.2017

Update: Hashemitaba was not checking his cellphone. The moderator said phones are not connected to outside networks. They're apparently used for sound checks.

13:01 28.4.2017

Rohani says the government has completed the Mehr housing project despite all its flaws. The project started under former President Ahmadinejad. Rohani also said that young couples receive housing loans.

13:04 28.4.2017

Qalibaf criticizes Rohani.

13:08 28.4.2017

Raisi says newlywed couples should receive housing assistance. He seems to agree with Rohani, who basically said the same.

13:12 28.4.2017

Some Iranians are thinking of defeated presidential candidate and opposition figure Mir Hossein Musavi, who remains under house arrest. He participated in Iran's first televised debates in 2009, in which he clashed with Ahmadinejad.

"Our Musavi is missed," this user writes.

13:17 28.4.2017

Crisis Group Iran analyst Ali Vaez on the division of labor between Rohani and his vice-president Jahangiri:

13:18 28.4.2017

Rohani is now answering a question about issues facing newly-wed couples. He says jobs should be created for the youth and there should also be hope in the future.

13:21 28.4.2017

Rohani says there's more hope in the future now, job situation has improved, investor confidence has been boosted.

13:23 28.4.2017

Rohani also suggest that there's less online censorship while adding that candidates are using it.

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