Polls have opened across Iran as voters head to the stations to elect a new president, following the untimely death of President Ebrahim Raisi.

The 14th presidential election commenced at 8:00 a.m. (04:30 GMT) on Friday and will continue until the evening, with the possibility of an extension, if necessary, as authorized by the interior minister.

Iranians both within the country and abroad are participating in large numbers. The two leading candidates in the race are former Health Minister and senior lawmaker Masoud Pezeshkian, and former nuclear negotiator and chief of the top security body Saeed Jalili, who secured the most votes in the first round.

More than 61,450,000 eligible Iranian voters can participate in the elections. Individuals born on or before June 28, 2006, are eligible to vote. Security for the election is being managed by the Police, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Basij forces.

This election marks the 14th administration since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The new administration will assume power in July and hold office for four years. The polls are being conducted a year ahead of schedule due to the tragic passing of President Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others. (ILKHA)