The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei cast his vote in the runoff presidential election just minutes after it started off nationwide on Friday, June 24.
The first round of the 9th presidential election in the Islamic Republic had been held on the previous Friday.
Speaking in an interview with the Central News Bureau (CNB) after casting his vote in the ballot-box, the Leader described the Iranian people's participation in the first round of the 9th presidential election on June 17 as spectacular and exciting. He expressed hope that the Iranian people will give rise to another epical and sensational event with their high turnout and massive participation in the runoff presidential election.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered the Iranian nation the chief winner of the first round of the election, in which the Iranian people displayed a nearly 30 million-strong presence at the polls.
"The glory and honor reflected on the Iranian nation by the 30 million-strong presence at the polls may not be undermined by any means. However, the Iranian people's massive participation in the runoff election today will help to boost popular support for the elected president, who needs the people's wholehearted support in order to accomplish national objectives and promote the country's progress and development," Ayatollah Khamenei told the CNB.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic called the people's poise and serenity at the polls on June 17 worthy of praise and admiration. He stressed that the people are expected to participate in the runoff election with the same composure and calmness.
"What our country mostly needs at the present juncture is peace and calm. Thus, the supporters of the two presidential candidates who are standing in the runoff election should avoid any action that might jeopardize the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the election," he stated.
Further in the interview, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the soundness of the first round of the 9th presidential election has officially been confirmed by the incumbent president, the Interior Ministry and the Guardian Council. He also called on the officials in charge of holding the runoff election to make every effort to protect the votes cast by the people and to declare the results of the election without any bias or partiality.
Referring to the fact that nobody else knew who he voted for in the first round of the presidential election, the Leader emphasized that the same also holds true about the runoff election. He stated that it is the Leader's duty to expound the criteria to be observed by the public in electing the president and to stress the significance of the people's presence at the polls.
Ayatollah Khamenei made it clear that whoever is elected president by polling the majority of the people's votes cast in the runoff election is the president of the entire nation, and that everybody is expected to assist the elected president in performing his responsibilities.
In conclusion, the Leader expressed his appreciation for the valuable services rendered by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and its fair performance in the course of the 9th presidential election, especially its efforts to make the public familiar with the presidential candidates and their future plans and programs for the country.