The second round of presidential elections has begun in Iran! It is a fierce competition between reformists and conservatives.

After the death of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, the country went to the polls to elect its new leader. The voting process for the second round of elections, in which no winner emerged in the first round, has begun.

62 MILLION VOTERS AT THE POLLS

According to the data from the Ministry of Interior Election Center, approximately 62 million voters out of the country's population of 88 million will be able to vote in polling stations set up in more than 59,000 centers. In addition, Iranian citizens living abroad can also vote at election centers established in 95 countries. The voting process, which started at 08:00 local time, will end at 18:00.

TURKISH-ORIGIN CANDIDATE RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES IN THE FIRST ROUND

The race is between a conservative and a reformist candidate. In the first round held on June 28 with historically low turnout, Turkish-origin candidate Masoud Pezeshkian received 42.5% of the votes. Conservative candidate Saeed Jalili's vote share remained at 38.6%.

CALL FOR "PARTICIPATION" FROM SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, who cast his vote in the capital Tehran, pointed to the turnout rate in the first round and said, "I heard that the people's interest in the elections is higher than before (the first round). If so, it is pleasing." Khamenei stated, "Tomorrow we will see our new president. Hopefully, our people will vote and choose the best".

PEZESHKIAN CALLED THE "MORAL POLICE" "IMMORAL"

Former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, who is affiliated with the reformist camp, drew attention with his statement that the actions of the moral police, which impose strict headscarf rules on women, are "immoral". The 69-year-old Pezeshkian said, "If wearing certain clothes is a sin, then what is done to women is a sin 100 times greater. Nowhere in the religion that allows pressuring someone because of their clothing" He also promised to improve relations with the West and revive nuclear negotiations to eliminate the sanctions that have caused significant damage to the Iranian economy.

JALILI STANDS OUT AS A CONSERVATIVE FIGURE

Jalili previously led the team representing the country in negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Mustafa Pour-Mohammadi is the only religious figure among the candidates. Conservative presidential candidates oppose improving relations with the West and argue that Iran can succeed despite the sanctions.