Iranian leaders urge nationals to 'actively' attend 2 key elections

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called on all eligible Iranian voters to take part in two major elections of the country that kicked off at the early hours of the day.

Large groups of voters in Iran's major cities lined up in long queues before mosques since the early morning on Friday to cast their ballots for the elections for Iran's parliament (Majlis) and Assembly of Experts, starting at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) with Khamenei casting his votes.

The Iranian supreme leader urged the nation to vote in both elections, arguing that doing so will "disappoint" enemies and boost "national sovereignty."

"Anybody who likes Iran, the Islamic republic, the glory and dignity of the nation, should participate in the election," Khamenei said in a live broadcast on the state TV.

• Also, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said upon voting that "today's election is an embodiment of the country's political independence as well as the national sovereignty."

"If before the Islamic revolution (in 1979) the foreigners decided for the country, following the revolution over the past 37 years, these are the Iranians who decide for their country at the ballot boxes," Rouhani said, asking the Iranians to actively participate in the votes.

Rouhani hailed the high turn out in the votes, saying that the victory belongs to the people and nation, regardless of which faction would emerge victorious.

"Today's political participation means hope for the future of the country, and confidence on the establishment as well as the authorities, and this is very much respectable," he said.

A total of 6,229 candidates, including 586 women, will compete for 290 seats in the Majlis.

The Iranian Majlis is vested with the power to impeach the president for misconduct in office and dismiss cabinet ministers through no-confidence votes.

The parliament also drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget.

Iranians will also choose 88 members for the Assembly of Experts, out of the 166 qualified candidates.

The Assembly of Experts is a deliberative body of Islamic theologians or Mujtahids, elected for eight years and charged with electing and removing the Supreme Leader of the country and supervising his activities.
 [Xinhua]
26/2/16
--