Registration of presidential candidates kicks off in Iran

The registration of applicants seeking to run for president started officially at the Ministry of Interior in Tehran on Tuesday morning.

The presidential hopefuls are obligated to meet the new standards set by the Constitutional Council.

The vetting body has established new criteria for the 13th presidential election in Iran in order to separate out large numbers of people who nominate with very basic or no qualifications for every election.

According to a statement released by the Central Delegation Monitoring the 13th Presidential Election, all applicants are required to provide a series of documents at the time of registration, including at least a master’s degree or its equivalent, and a certificate of clearance on no previous convictions.

Moreover, the age limit for running for president has been raised to 40, while the upper age limit for the hopefuls has been set at 75.

The nominates should also have an experience of serving for at least a combined total of four years in a series of political, administrative, military, or academic posts, such as the deputies of heads of three branches of power, members of the Supreme National Security Council, members of the Expediency Discernment Council, directors of the governmental organizations, top commanders of the Armed Forces with the rank of Major General and above, provincial governors, and mayors of populous cities.

The registration of volunteers will go on for the next five days. The Council will have until May 25 to examine the documents submitted by the hopefuls. It can extend the date by another five days if needed. The overseeing body will then release a final list of presidential candidates on May 26-27.