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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)

12:49 5.5.2017

Rohani also says that ethnic and religious minorities do not enjoy equal rights in Iran.

12:52 5.5.2017

Raisi criticizes Rohani again, suggests that the president doesn't accept criticism. He says citizens should be allowed to speak their mind.

12:54 5.5.2017

Jahangiri says the government has stood against those who've been pushing for the blocking of [unfiltered] social media sites.

12:55 5.5.2017

Qalibaf claims he supports the right of the minorities.

12:57 5.5.2017

Raisi is getting attention for attacking Rohani.

13:01 5.5.2017

Raisi is criticizing Rohani for having failed to improve the life of the Iranians after the 2015 nuclear deal.

13:02 5.5.2017

Raisi says Iran should remain committed to the nuclear deal.

13:03 5.5.2017

Qalibaf suggests that Iranians have not benefited from the 2015 landmark nuclear agreement.

13:08 5.5.2017

Rohani says all candidates should state their stances on the nuclear deal clearly. He says if the nuclear deal is good then why there was so much criticism against it, including billboards in Tehran blasting it.

13:10 5.5.2017

Rohani to his conservative rivals: You were happy when Donald Trump was elected because you were hoping he 'd tear up the nuclear deal.

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