Judge beneath U.S. Sanctions set to take over Iran presidency

TEHRAN, June 18 (Reuters) - Millions of Iranians voted on Friday in a competition set to hand the presidency to a hardline judge who's difficulty to U.S. Sanctions, even though anger over monetary hassle and curbs on freedoms mean many will heed requires a boycott.

Senior officers appealed for a huge turnout in an election widely seen as a referendum on their handling of the financial system, together with growing charges and unemployment and a collapse within the fee of its foreign money.

"I urge every person with any political view to vote," judiciary head Ebrahim Raisi, the the front-runner within the contest, stated after casting his poll.

"Our human beings's grievances over shortcomings are actual, however if it is the reason for not taking part, then it is wrong."

While nation tv confirmed long queues at polling stations in numerous cities, the semi-reliable Fars information corporation mentioned 22 million or 37% of electorate had cast ballots by using 7:30 p.M. (1500 GMT), bringing up its own reporter. The indoors ministry said it couldn't verify turnout figures.

State tv stated voting officially ended at 1930 GMT. However, the interior ministry said vote casting had been prolonged for 2 hours in some polling stations throughout the u . S . To allow latecomers to forged ballots. Read more

The very last results are anticipated to be introduced by means of mid-day on Saturday.

After voting inside the capital Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei entreated Iranians follow in shape, pronouncing "every vote counts ... Come and vote and select your president".

Raisi, 60, is sponsored by way of safety hawks in his bid to be successful Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist averted under the charter from serving a 3rd 4-year time period in the post, which runs the authorities every day and reviews to Khamenei.

Supported by way of the powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps, Raisi, a close Khamenei ally who vows to combat corruption, is underneath U.S. Sanctions for alleged involvement in executions of political prisoners many years ago.