Iran has begun the registration period for candidates seeking to run for president of the country ahead of an early vote at the end of June.
The winner of the election will replace the deceased Ebrahim Raisiwho died in a helicopter crash with seven other people earlier this month.
The vote comes at a time of heightened tensions, as relations between Tehran and the United States worsen and internal protests sweep the country following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
To compete, candidates must be between 40 and 75 years old and have at least a master’s degree with four years of experience in state administration or related areas.
All candidates must also be approved by Iran’s 12-member Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
It is a panel that has never accepted a woman, nor anyone who has called for a radical change in the country’s governance.
The Ministry of Interior, responsible for the country’s police, conducts Iranian elections without any substantial international observation.
Ebrahim Raisi won Iran’s 2021 presidential election after the Guardian Council disqualified all candidates with the best chance of challenging him.
That vote recorded the lowest turnout in Iran’s presidential election history, while this year’s parliamentary vote saw an even lower turnout amid widespread calls for a boycott.
The five-day application period will end on Tuesday and the Child Protective Services is expected to release its final list of candidates within 10 days.
