Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (2024)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 10:45 PMUpdated Thursday, May. 30, 2024 10:13 AM

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (1)

Iranian elections headquarters staff work to register candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (2)

Iranian elections headquarters staff work to register candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the June 28 presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others.

The election comes as Iran grapples with the aftermath of the May 19 crash, as well as heightened tensions between Tehran and the United States, and protests including those over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini that have swept the country.

While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, maintains final say over all matters of state, presidents in the past have bent the Islamic Republic of Iran toward greater interaction or increased hostility with the West.

The five-day period will see those between the ages of 40 to 75 with at least a master's degree register as potential candidates. All candidates ultimately must be approved by Iran's 12-member Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei. That panel has never accepted a woman, for instance, nor anyone calling for radical change within the country's governance.

Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's interior minister, opened the registration period. The Interior Ministry, in charge of the country's police, run Iranian elections with no substantial international observation.

“These elections, like the parliamentary elections, will be held in complete safety and health, with good competition and wide participation of all dear people," Vahidi said.

Raisi, a protege of Khamenei, won Iran’s 2021 presidential election after the Guardian Council disqualified all of the candidates with the best chance to potentially challenge him. That vote saw the lowest turnout in Iran's history for a presidential election. This year's parliamentary vote saw an even-lower turnout amid widespread boycott calls.

That likely was a sign of voters' discontent with both a hard-line cleric sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in mass executions in 1988, and Iran's Shiite theocracy over four decades after its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Who will run — and potentially be accepted — remains in question. The country’s acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, a previously behind-the-scenes bureaucrat, could be a front-runner, because he's already been seen in meetings with Khamenei. Also discussed as possible aspirants are former hard-line President Mohammad Ahmadinejad and former reformist President Mohammad Khatami — but whether they'd be allowed to run is another question.

Among those registering Thursday was Saeed Jalili, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator who ran in 2013 and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to support Raisi.

“Today, we are in a historic opportunity,” Jalili told journalists. “If we miss this, we will fall behind the path of progress.”

The five-day registration period will close on Tuesday. The Guardian Council is expected to issue its final list of candidates within 10 days afterwards. That will allow for a shortened two-week campaign before the vote in late June.

The new president will take office while the country now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a drone and missile attack on Israel amid the war in Gaza. Tehran also has continued arming proxy groups in the Middle East, like Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia.

Meanwhile, Iran's economy has faced years of hardship over its collapsing rial currency. Widespread protests have swept the country, most recently over Amini's death following her arrest over allegedly not wearing her mandatory headscarf to the liking of authorities, A U.N. panel says the Iranian government is responsible for the “physical violence” that led to Amini's death.

Raisi is just the second Iranian president to die in office. In 1981, a bomb blast killed President Mohammad Ali Rajai in the chaotic days after the Islamic Revolution.

___

Amir Vahdat contributed to this report from Tehran.

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (3)

Former Iranian lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian, the Secretary General of Mardomsalari, or Democracy, party flashes a victory sign while registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (4)

Former Iranian lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian, the Secretary General of Mardomsalari, or Democracy, party flashes a victory sign while registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (5)

Former Iranian lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian, the Secretary General of Mardomsalari, or Democracy party flashes a victory sign while registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (6)

Former Iranian lawmaker Mostafa Kavakebian, the Secretary General of Mardomsalari, or Democracy party flashes a victory sign while registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (7)

A staff of Iranian election headquarters staff works during the registration of candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (8)

A staff of Iranian election headquarters staff works during the registration of candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (9)

A staff of elections headquarters sits beside a portrait of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the registration of candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (10)

A staff of elections headquarters sits beside a portrait of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the registration of candidates for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (11)

Iranian lawmaker Abbas Moghtadaiee, left, registers his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (12)

Iranian lawmaker Abbas Moghtadaiee, left, registers his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (13)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, right, registers his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (14)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, right, registers his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (15)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili waves to media as he arrives at the Interior Ministry to register his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (16)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili waves to media as he arrives at the Interior Ministry to register his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (17)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili waves to media after registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (18)

Former Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili waves to media after registering his name as a candidate for the June 28 presidential elections at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash (2024)

FAQs

Iran opens registration for the June presidential election after Raisi died in a helicopter crash? ›

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran opened a five-day registration period Thursday for hopefuls wanting to run in the June 28 presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others.

Who won the election of 1976? ›

Democrat Jimmy Carter, former Governor of Georgia, defeated incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford in a narrow victory.

How to become president of Iran? ›

Before elections, nominees to become a presidential candidate must be approved by the Guardian Council. Members of the Guardian Council are chosen by the supreme leader. The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term by direct vote and is not permitted to run for more than two consecutive terms.

What happened during 1976? ›

Major events include Jimmy Carter defeating incumbent president Gerald Ford in the presidential election of that year, the incorporation of Apple Computer Company and Microsoft, and the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that Karen Ann Quinlan could be disconnected from her ventilator. Decades: 1950s.

Who won the 1876 election? ›

Rutherford B. Hayes defeated Samuel J. Tilden in the controversial presidential election of 1876. This guide provides access to digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to external websites, and a print bibliography related to the election.

What president ran in 1976? ›

In the 1976 United States presidential election, Jimmy Carter and his running mate, Walter Mondale, were elected president and vice president, defeating incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford and his running mate, Bob Dole.

Who won the 1976 presidential election quizlet? ›

One of the reasons Jimmy Carter managed to win the 1976 elections was the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

Did Ronald Reagan run for president in 1976? ›

Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for President of the United States on November 20, 1975. He won primaries in several states, but eventually lost the nomination to incumbent president Gerald Ford at the 1976 Republican National Convention.

Who was president in 1972 and 1976? ›

Nixon and Gerald R. Ford.

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