Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani casts his vote in Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s 11th presidential and 4th city and rural council elections on June 14, 2013.<\/p>\n
Iranian Majlis speaker describes \u00c5\u201celections\u201d and \u00c5\u201cpeople\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s presence on the scene\u201d as among the main pillars of the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying elections should promote the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s international status.\n<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after casting his votes for Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s 11th presidential and 4th city and rural council elections on Friday, Ali Larijani said people\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s presence on the political arena sends the message that they continue to support the Islamic establishment 34 years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cThe elections should [lead to] domestic changes in the country and improve economic conditions, and change our position on the international stage and help the Islamic Awakening movement,\u201d the top Iranian parliamentarian stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s economic situation makes it all the more necessary for people to make their choice \u00c5\u201ccarefully,\u201d so that it would be possible to resolve the problems under the new circumstances and have a \u00c5\u201cpositive impact on international issues,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Larijani further said that Iran is facing pressure on the international stage, but popular support would further energize the Islamic establishment to secure a desirable status in the world.\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani also told reporters after casting his vote that the wise Iranian nation would once again create a \u00c5\u201cmajor epic.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cMassive presence of the [Iranian] people in the elections will be the Islamic establishment\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s key weapon in facing Western countries,\u201d Amoli Larijani said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Prudent Iranian people are well aware that the country is facing a \u00c5\u201cspecial situation,\u201d said the top judge.<\/p>\n
He stated that enemies have tried their best to create voter apathy, but to no avail.\n<\/p>\n
The judiciary chief emphasized that the Iranian nation will stand firm on its ideals and will never give up the lofty objectives of the Islamic Revolution.\n<\/p>\n
The Iranians began casting their ballots at 8:00 am (0330 GMT) on Friday with the polls scheduled to remain open for ten hours. The time can be extended if necessary.\n<\/p>\n
Six candidates, namely President of the Expediency Council\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi are running in the presidential election.\n<\/p>\n
Over 200,000 candidates are also running for city and rural council elections.\n<\/p>\n
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