Polling Stations Planned in N. America, Canada

Iran's Foreign Ministry said it is making diplomatic efforts to allow Iranian expatriates residing in the US and Canada to vote in the upcoming presidential election concurrent with the poll at home. "The Foreign Ministry has made all arrangements for holding the presidential election abroad and has taken all measures in this regard," the ministry's spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, was quoted as saying by Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday.  "Considering the large number of Iranians residing in the US, the Foreign Ministry has taken all measures to set up polling stations there," he added. As regards Canada, Qasemi said Iran hopes to be able to have ballot boxes in that country, although Tehran and Ottawa have no diplomatic relations. "The Foreign Ministry is making efforts through diplomatic channels to obtain the permission to dispatch ballot boxes to Canada," he said. The presidential election in Iran will be held on May 19.