2013 Iranian presidential election

One of the issues that has been raised in the pre-election debate over electoral reforms, especially regarding enforcement, situations of candidates. Executive of elections under previous law was ministry of interior (Government) and there were statements about changing of maintaining law. In addition, the law provided that the candidates must be political men and the meaning of men was not known. The changes began after the protests to the previous election. According to Iranian law, candidates more than 75 years old are eligible to run but their health issues must be checked by the Guardian Council.

The new act of the elections was approved by the parliament on 17 December 2012 and was signified by speaker of the parliament, Ali Larijani, to the president for official implementation.[4][5] Some of the changes are explained:

• 7 May – The official registration of candidates began at the ministry of interior.[6]
• 11 May – The time for registration was ended at 18:00 IRDT.
• 21 May – The final list of candidates was announced by the Minister of Interior, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar. A number of 8 candidates are eligible to participate in the election.[7]
• 24 May – Official propagation campaigns for the final candidates began.
• 13 June – End of campaigns.
• 14 June – Election date.
• 15 June – Official results announced by Interior Ministry with Hassan Rouhani elected as the seventh President of Iran.
• 25 June – Guardian Council confirmed the election results.
• 1 August – President-elect met with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
• 3 August – Inauguration of new president, replacing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

For the first time in the history of Iranian presidential elections, a commission of eleven persons (three legal, seven experts, and one from parliament) supervised the elections.[8][9]

The following two candidates registered for the election and their nominations were approved by the Guardian Council, but withdrew their candidacies during the electoral campaign.

• Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice President (2001–2005) (endorsed Hassan Rouhani).
• Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Speaker of the Parliament (2004–2008) (endorsed Conservative candidates; Progression Alliance).

Name	Party	Slogan	Political background	Endorsed
Mohammad-Reza Aref[24][25]	Omid Iranian Foundation	Livelihoods, decent and honest life with dignity and rationality	Aref was First Vice President of Iran from 2001 to 2005 in the second term of Mohammad Khatami. Livelihoods, decent and honest life with dignity and rationality. He previously served as Minister Information and Communications Technology and head of Management and Planning Organization in Khatami's first cabinet.He is also an electrical engineer and a professor at University of Tehran and Sharif University of Technology. He withdrew his candidacy on 11 June in order to give the reformist camp a better chance to win.	Hassan Rouhani
Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel[26][27]	Society of Devotees of the Islamic Revolution	None	Haddad-Adel, an Iranian parliamentarian who chaired it from 2004 to 2008 was one of Progression Alliance candidates. He was also president of Academy of Persian Language and Literature. He withdrew on 10 June in favor of a principlist candidate.	Principlist candidates

The following candidates registered for the election campaign but withdrew their candidacies before the electoral campaign.

The following candidates registered for the election but their nominations were rejected by the Guardian Council. All thirty registered female candidates were promptly disqualified on constitutional grounds.[36]

The following people did not register for the election and declined to enter the race.

From 25 May to 12 June 2013, each of the eight final candidates has the right to use National TV and Radio (IRIB) for their presidential election campaigns. In total, each candidate will use 405 minutes on Public TV and 285 minutes on Public Radio. This time comprises the candidates' own campaign programs as well as participation in the specific discussion shows. In addition, there will be three main live group debates on TV. The debates are held in three chapters: the first was held on 31 May, and second on 5 May and third on 7 May between all eight candidates. They differed from the previous election debates, which were held person-by-person. The 2013 debates and TV shows are moderated by Morteza Heidari and Hassan Abedini.[73]

The following table shows the programme details and the time schedule for each candidate in Iranian Public TV. The times given are the local time (UTC +4:30 IRDT).[74]

¹ The first one-hour TV program of Mohammad-Reza Aref was cut after 15 minutes and did not continue.[75][76] Later, the program was completely shown again on Friday, 31 May 2013.[77]
² Haddad and Aref's programs were not shown because they withdrew.[78]

On 9 June Brigadier General Seyyed Masoud Jazayeri, Deputy Chief of Joint Armed Forces Headquarters and head of the Defense Propaganda Headquarters, "warned" a "few of the candidates" that "we have warned before that it's better that candidates express their opinions within the framework of presidency's authority, and avoid entering in those issues related to security or the armed forces." Jazayeri added that the Pasdaran will confront those candidates "who have spread untrue information and painted a black picture [of the regime], after the election."

According to the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Jazayeri was "alluding to the two reformist candidates in the race, Mohammad Reza Aref and Hassan Rouhani". (Aref withdrew from the race 11 June)[79]

Also according to the Campaign, "several political activists and campaign workers have been arrested at political rallies, at their work places, and at their homes" since the beginning of June. In addition, "journalists and activists who had been imprisoned after the 2009 elections" and were later released on furlough "have been recalled to prison in the month leading to the election"[79]

In the run-up to the election, the internet was drastically slowed down with poor connectivity and since March virtual private networks have been blocked, resulting in the inability of Iranians to access thousands of foreign websites, as well as Twitter and Facebook.[80]

Supporters of Hassan Rouhani rally

As one of the few telephone polling systems in Iran, IPOS (Iranian Elections Tracking Polls) institute ran a daily poll system for the election, by claiming that they have the only official poll system in Iranian presidential election.[81][82] The poll is based on the daily phone interviews with a sample size of around 1,000 people per day.[83] The poll also reported that between 60 and 75% of the people confirmed they will participate in the presidential election.[84]

On 6 June 2013 Ghalibaf held a strong lead in the poll with the support of 39% of decided voters. However, the poll notified that 57% of voters are undecided, meaning that the poll result can be changed easily. Rezaee and Jalili had the second and third place with 16.8 and 13.9% of decided voters respectively.[83][85]

On 10 June 2013 Ghalibaf still held a lead in the presidential race, but this time with the support of 27% of decided voters. Ghalibaf votes has started to decrease after the third national TV debate held on 7 June 2013. The percentage of undecided voters decreased to 47%. Jalili and Rezaee had the second and third place with 16.5 and 16% of decided voters respectively. Rouhani's votes started to increase after the third national TV debate reaching from 8 to 14%. After Aref's withdrawal on 11 June 2013 and decreasing the undecided voters percentage, some significant changes in the percentages are expected in the following days.[86][87]

On 12 June 2013 Rouhani made a notable lead in the presidential race, reaching 32% of decided votes. Ghalibaf votes has continued to decrease to 24.4% of decided voters. The percentage of undecided voters decreased to 42%. Jalili, Rezaee and Velayati had the third to fifth place with a rally small margin of difference.[88][89]

On 13 June 2013 in the final results, Rouhani reached 38% of decided votes. Ghalibaf votes remained on 25% of decided voters. The percentage of undecided voters decreased to 38.7%. Rezaee, Jalili and Velayati were in third to fifth place.[90]

Poll source	Date	Total votes	Jalili	Haddad	Rezaee	Rouhani	Aref	Gharazi	Ghalibaf	Velayati	decided votes (%)
IPOS[91][92]	3–6 June 2013	1,067	13.9%	4.4%	16.8%	8.1%	5.8%	0.7%	39.0%	11.5%	42.9%[93]
	5–8 June 2013	1,067	14.8%	4.5%	16.4%	9.6%	6.8%	2.6%	34.1%	11.3%	44.9%[94]
	7–10 June 2013	1,067	16.5%	3.5%	16.0%	14.4%	8.4%	2.7%	27.1%	11.4%	53.1%[95]
	8–11 June 2013	1,067	13.7%	1.3%	16.3%	26.6%	5.1%	1.5%	24.8%	10.4%	57.6%[96]
	9–12 June 2013	1,067	13.7%	0.6%	14.3%	31.7%	1.6%	1.4%	24.4%	12.7%	57.8%[97]
	10–13 June 2013	1,067	12.6%	—	13.7%	38%	—	1.4%	24.6%	9.7%	61.3%[98]

The table below displays the official vote tallies by province.

Officials said over 72 percent of over 50 million eligible Iranians turned out to vote.[127]

Prior to the election, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Abbas Araghchi accused France and the United States of interfering in the electoral process after the two countries' officials criticised the nomination process and the disqualifications.[128] Hours after the announcement of preliminary results, Ali Akbar Velayati and Mohammad Gharazi both conceded their loss in the election and congratulated the president-elect.[129][130] Mohammad Reza Aref, the withdrawing candidate also published via his Twitter account, congratulating the new president and thanked people for voting for the reform movement.[131] Hassan Rouhani, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Mohsen Rezaee's campaigns also thanked the nation on their high participation in the election.[132] Tehran Stock Exchange's index also reached more than 46,000 units that was highest since February 2013.[133] Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei also congratulated Rouhani on his election as new president of the country.[134]

Country	Reaction
Afghanistan	President Hamid Karzai congratulated the democratic election to the government and people of Iran.[135] He also congratulated Rouhani after his victory announcement.
Armenia	President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Hassan Rouhani on winning Iran's presidential election and expressed confidence that Armenian-Iranian relations will grow even closer during his tenure.[136]
Azerbaijan	President Ilham Aliyev sent a message to Iran's President-elect Hassan Rouhani to felicitate him on his victory in Iran's presidential election. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Elman Abdullayev also expressed Baku's willingness to further expand its bilateral ties with Tehran during the tenure of Iran's President-elect Hassan Rouhani.[137]
Bahrain	King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated Rouhani for his election as Iranian president on 14 June's election.[138]
Brazil	President Dilma Rousseff congratulated Rouhani for his election as Iranian president and also invited him to a state visit of the country and also her visit of Iran.[139]
Canada	Foreign minister John Baird said with some negativity "With Iran's opposition leaders in jail and their supporters having been denied the ability to co-ordinate since June 2009, none of the eight regime-approved candidates represents a real alternative for Iranian voters." and added whoever being elected "will simply be another of Ayatollah Khamenei's puppets in the tragic and dangerous pantomime that is life for all Iranians. Given the regime's manipulation of the collective will and democratic process, the results of the June 14 vote are effectively meaningless."[140] Baird later published a statement, apologized for his comments and called Iran's election democratic.[141]
China	Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying congratulated Rouhani on his election as Iranian president during a press conference.
Egypt	Foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr hailed the presidential election in Iran as successful, and offered his felicitations on President-elect Hassan Rouhani's victory in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi.
European Union	Former High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana said: "Due to the upcoming elections, the leaders of Iran will focus on it more than nuclear talks and it would be on the sidelines. It was not until the election will be a very difficult task in the field of nuclear advance."[142] Catherine Ashton also congratulated Rouhani on his election.
France	President François Hollande welcomed the election results and also invited Rouhani for participating in the upcoming Geneva meeting over the Syrian civil war and also invited him to Élysée Palace. Foreign Ministry also congratulated Rouhani for his election as president.[143]
India	Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated President-elect Rouhani on his victory in Iran's presidential election. Foreign minister Salman Khurshid also termed Rouhani's victory as a good signal and said it indicates much greater convergence and consensus amongst people and public opinion in Iran. He called it a welcome sign and an outcome of Iranian democracy.
Iraq	Vice President Khodair al-Khozaei congratulated Hassan Rouhani on his victory in Iran's 11th presidential election. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki also congratulated Rouhani.
Israel	Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not send a congratulation message to Rouhani, and said Iran's policies will never change.
Italy	President Giorgio Napolitano congratulated Rouhani over his election victory and said efforts should be made to strengthen Iran-Italy relations. Foreign Minister Emma Bonino also congratulated Rouhani in an official statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[144]
Jordan	King Abdullah II congratulated Rouhani for his election as President of Iran.[145]
South Korea	Foreign Ministry congratulated Rouhani on winning Iran's presidential election, expressing hope for the improvement of relations between the two nations.
Kuwait	Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah published a statement, congratulated Rouhani for his election as Iran's next president and hoped Rouhani's visit of the country.[146]
Lebanon	President Michel Suleiman also congratulated Iranian President-elect Rouhani on his election victory in a statement from Suleiman's office said.[147] Leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrullah has congratulated Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Khamenei and the Iranian nation on the huge turnout in the presidential and city and village council elections.
OIC	Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu congratulated Rouhani on his victory in the presidential poll and wished him success. He also expressed optimism that ties between Iran and the 57-member organization.[148]
Pakistan	Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Rouhani and Iranians in his congratulatory message.
Palestine	President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Rouhani and wished him luck and success in fulfilling his duties.[149]
Qatar	Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani both congratulated Rouhani.[150]
Russia	Russian President, Vladimir Putin, congratulated Hassan Rouhani with his election as Iran's new president and confirmed Russia's readiness to develop bilateral cooperation.[151]
Saudi Arabia	King Abdullah sent a congratulatory message to Rouhani, wishing him and the Iranian nation success and prosperity.[152]
Syria	President Bashar Al-Assad congratulated elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and expressed, on behalf of the Syrian people and on his own behalf.[153]
Tajikistan	President Emomali Rahmon congratulated Hassan Rouhani over his victory in Iran's presidential election. Rahmon also wished the president-elect success.[148]
Tunisia	President Moncef Marzouki extended his congratulations to the Iranian president-elect, wishing the Iranian nation glory and further progress.
Turkey	Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu congratulated Rouhani and wished the best for him and Iranian nation.[154]
United Kingdom	In a statement published by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom welcomed the election of Rouhani but did not congratulate him.[155]
United Nations	Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon congratulated Hasan Rouhani on his election as the next President of Iran, and commended the country's high turnout to the polls.[156]
United States	The Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, hoped that the elections in Iran would lead to positive talks regarding the country's nuclear program. After Rouhani's victory, White House congratulated Iranians for their "courage" after moderate candidate Hassan Rouhani was elected president of Iran.[157] Meanwhile, President Barack Obama said that the election is a sign of change to Iranians.[158]
Venezuela	President Nicolás Maduro congratulated Rouhani's victory in the election and wishes an early visit of him and Iran.

The inauguration of Hassan Rouhani as the 7th President of Iran took place on two rounds, first on Saturday 3 August 2013 whereby he received his presidential precept from Supreme Leader and entered to the Sa'dabad Palace, official residence of the president in a private ceremony. The second was on the next day with sworn in for the office in the Parliament of Iran.

Hassan Rouhani inauguration