Imam Khamenei: Elections Key Role in Iran Security

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks after casting his vote for the 9th parliamentary elections at a polling station in Tehran on Friday.

Imam Khamenei emphasized that voting is a duty to be fulfilled and a right of all the Iranian people.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that elections have always been significant and played a determining role for the country and the Islamic establishment, and have always conveyed a message to foes and friends.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that the arrogant powers are spreading propaganda and threats against the Islamic Republic to deny their failures.

They resort to impose sanctions and raise human rights issues against Iran, Imam Khamenei added.

However, the vigorous participation of the Iranian nation in the elections will send a message to hegemonic powers and will be beneficial for the country's future.

The 9th Majlis elections since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution officially started across Iran at 08:00 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on Friday.

Iran's Guardian Council, charged with supervising the elections, approved the competence of 3,454 candidates.

On February 21, Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said that 48,288,799 people are eligible to cast their ballots in the Majlis vote.

Over 5,400 had registered to contest the 290 parliamentary seats. More than 47,000 polling stations will operate nationwide during the elections.

Source: IRIB