Iran Presidential Polling Planned in 104 Countries

Iranian expatriates in 104 countries will have the opportunity to vote in the country's 12th presidential election simultaneously with the polls at home, authorities said.

Iran's Interior Ministry plans to set up 304 polling stations in 104 countries to allow Iranian nationals to cast their ballots in the upcoming presidential election, secretary of the Election Headquarters, Ali Pourali Motlaq, said at a press conference on Monday, Tasnim News Agency reported.

Pointing to a 12% rise in the number of polling stations abroad in comparison with the previous presidential election, the official said Iranian expatriates will be allowed to vote with their passports.

As regards the polls at home, Motlaq said 63,429 polling stations will be set up across the country with more than 1,150,000 people involved as organizers.

According to the official, the highest number of stations will be set up in the provinces of Tehran, Khorasan Razavi and Mazandaran, respectively.

Each of the ballot boxes will be guarded by two or three forces, he added, noting that the total number of ballot boxes across the country will exceed 130,000. The presidential election will be held this Friday.

Motlaq said the fifth city and village councils elections, scheduled concurrently with the presidential poll, will be held electronically in 141 cities.