IRNA � Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the presidential election is very important, stressing that the fate of the nation and electing the head of the executive power is in the hand of all individuals from all walks of life.


The Leader made the remarks after casting his vote in the 12th presidential and fifth city and village council elections here on Friday.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the elections as great blessing calling on the people for a big turnout.

�I advise people to have a broader participation and come to the polls as soon as possible.

'I believe the presidential election is vital and I call on the Iranian people to pay heed to the importance of the event,' the Leader added.

Referring to the fifth city and village council election, Ayatollah Khamenei said the vote is also important because those being elected by the people for the city and village councils have to address the ordinary and routine issues people face in everyday life.

The Supreme Leader also acknowledged the job done by media people that help show the world the landmark political event in the Islamic Republic.

In addition to Iranian journalists, some 570 international journalists from 42 countries are covering the great event in Iran.

According to reports, over 56 million of Iranians are eligible to go to the polls. Out of the total eligible voters over 1.3 million are those who vote for the first time.

Iran�s presidential election is being held nationwide and in 102 countries.

The presidential candidates include President Hassan Rouhani, Custodian of the Imam Reza (AS) Holy Shrine Ebrahim Raeisi, former minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mostafa Mirsalim and former Minister of Physical Education Mostafa Hashemi Taba.

First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri and Mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf were other presidential candidates who quitted the presidential race to support their favorite candidates (Rouhani and Raeisi respectively).