The Role of the Guardian Council
Qualification Review: Following the registration period, the Guardian Council conducted a comprehensive review of the candidates’ qualifications. This review period lasted from June 5 to June 10. The council’s rigorous scrutiny ensures that all candidates meet the stringent criteria necessary to run for the presidency.
Independence and Integrity: Ahmed Jannati, the secretary of the Guardian Council, emphasized the council’s independence from external pressures. He stated that no individual or institution could influence their decisions, reinforcing the council’s commitment to a fair and transparent election process.
Second Round of Voting and Final Outcome
Second Round Voting: The second round of voting, held after no candidate secured a majority in the first round, saw a significant increase in voter participation. Over 30 million people, equivalent to 49.8% of eligible voters, cast their ballots in this decisive round.
Election Results: According to the Ministry of Interior’s announcement, Masoud Bishidian, the candidate supported by the reformists, emerged victorious with 16,384,403 votes out of more than 30,530,000 votes cast. His opponent, Saeed Jalili, supported by the fundamentalists, received 13.5 million votes. This outcome marked Bishidian as the elected president of Iran, following a closely contested election.