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Iran: 8 key contenders to watch as potential successors to Raisi

Facing the key issue of turnout of a disfranchised, apathetic public, Iranian authorities will be holding an early election next month to replace Ebrahim Raisi, whose tenure was cut short due to a deadly chopper crash.

An Iranian woman in Tehran passes by a poster of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi two days after his death on May 21, 2024.
An Iranian woman in Tehran passes by a poster of Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi two days after his death on May 21, 2024. — Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

TEHRAN — Iran will head to polls on June 28 for a snap presidential election that has been triggered by the death of its hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash.

According to state media reports, the date was approved in line with existing constitutional protocols, which outline a 50-day time frame following the death or removal of any sitting president. 

The Tehran meeting for the election calendar was presided over by Raisi's first deputy, Mohammad Mokhber, who is now acting as interim president until the voting day. Under the approved timeline, the candidate registration process will commence on May 30 and will last until June 3, while campaigning will be held for a fortnight spanning June 12-27. 

Ahead of the official registration, Iranian media have been speculating about several names as potential contenders: 

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