Rulebook on Iranian elections

Who can run
Under the Iranian Constitution, candidates for president must be Muslim and between the ages of 25-75. There are differing interpretations about whether women are eligible for the presidency, but the ruling clerics have blocked all women from standing. Parliament permits women and members of religious and ethnic minorities. People with criminal records or high-ranking officials of the toppled monarchy are banned from running for president or parliament.

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Reaching the ballot
All hopefuls for high elected office must be cleared by the Guardian Council, a 12-member body of clerics and scholars loyal to the ruling theocracy. The council often rejects potential candidates considered too liberal or critical of the Islamic system. For Friday’s election, just eight of more than 1,000 possible candidates were allowed.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

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Who wins
A simple majority — 50 percent plus one vote — is needed to win the presidency. If no candidate attains that, a second round is held between the two top vote-getters. Run-offs have never been needed in Iran’s presidential polls up to now.

Who votes
Anyone at least 16 years old. There are more than 46.7 million eligible voters for Friday’s election. The figure includes millions of Iranians living abroad.