IRIB Grants Raisi Extra Rebuttal Time, Hemmati Protests

A representative for Ebrahim Raisi wrote to the Election Campaign section of the IRIB, the national broadcaster, asking for addition airtime for Raisi to respond to statements made by Mohsen Mehr-Alizadeh and Abdol-Naser Hemmati. The IRIB responded, granting Raisi an additional five minutes in the second debate. Hemmati tweeted in outrage, saying that if Raisi is granted five extra minutes to respond to slander, then he deserves at least 20 extra minutes to respond to false accusations from the “cover candidates”, meaning the five candidates other than Raisi.

Read about the IRIB decision at Hamshahri
Read Hemmati’s response on Twitter

Continue reading

Soleimani’s Daughter: I Am Not Part of Raisi’s Campaign, I Don’t Support a Candidate

In response to an article that called upon the family of Qasem Soleimani to support the campaign of Ebrahim Raisi, the late Qods Force Commander’s daughter, Zeinab Soleimani stated, “reports of my involvement with Mr Raisi’s campaign are lies and as I have said before, Commander Soleimani's family will not support any candidate in the election”. Zeinab Soleimani asked all candidates to refrain from misusing her late father’s name and legacy in their campaigning.

Read more at Khabaronline

Continue reading

Zakani: I Am the Leader of the Reformists

Conservative candidate Ali-Reza Zakani described himself as the head of the Reformists, saying he has done a great deal towards reforming and transforming the country. However, he clarified what he meant by adding “if we consider the Reformists as a political sect, they have sabotaged so much that I believe society does not give acknowledge them”. Zakani also once again reacted angrily when asked if he was a cover candidate for Ebrahim Raisi.

Read more at Eghtesad

Continue reading

Mehr-Alizadeh Documentary Airs, Censored

The first campaign documentary of Mohsen Mehr-Alizadeh aired tonight, although parts of the original were censored. The removed sections amounted to 5-6 minutes of the 27 minute documentary, and included speeches by former Presidents Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami, and by disqualified candidates Mostafa Tajzadeh and Masoud Pezeshkian. The documentary focused on the disqualification of candidates and the backlash by voters. Mehr-Alizadeh had anticipated this censorship and had leaked a trailer earlier in the evening which included the sections that were eventually cut.

Read more at Khabaronline
Watch the uncensored version on YouTube

Continue reading

Ghazizadeh Capitalises on Debate Performance

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi appeared on television today to reiterate his plans for government after his well-received performance in the electoral debate the night before. Ghazizadeh covered economic, social and political problems, stating that he believed in a rule of law and felt close to the people of Iran. On the issue of factionalism, he stated that “Iran’s main problem is not about being Principalist or Reformist, the problem is in the approach [to government]; there must be a transformation in the government”.

Read more at IRNA

Continue reading

Turkmen Sunni Leader Endorses Raisi

Haj Akhund Galdi Kamali, a senior member of the Sunni jurisprudential council of Iran, told his congregation in North Khorasan province to vote for Ebrahim Raisi. The Haj Akhund said “all of you dear Turkmen people of North Khorasan, wherever you are and whatever your inclination and thoughts, are expected to be an enthusiastic and public presence at the ballot box with your vote for Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on Friday the 18th” of June.

Read more at MashreghNews

Continue reading

Rezaei Responds to his Parody

Mohsen Rezaei has been the candidate with the most internet parodies over the last week, having featured in many memes on social media. Taking aim at a particular meme that played on his use of Iranian currency in several election campaigns, depicting him using the same campaign as an older man in the future, Rezaei responded saying “Dear people of Iran, my wish is that no one is poor in this country; my wish is for the wealth of the country to reach you; my wish is peace, happiness and prosperity for all of you; my wish is your wish”.

Read more on Twitter

Continue reading