Iran Presidential hopefuls woo ‘undecided’ voters

IRAN: Iran’s six Presidential hopefuls took part in last-ditch election campaigning Wednesday, hoping to woo the millions of Iranians still undecided between a slew of conservatives and a moderate cleric backed by reformists.

Momentum has built for cleric Hassan Rowhani, a former top nuclear negotiator, after the withdrawal of Mohammad Reza Aref on Tuesday, and the endorsement of two ex-Presidents, pro-reform Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Rowhani, 64, faces stiff competition in Friday’s election from the conservatives, in particular hardline top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and Tehran mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

According to an opinion poll published by Mehr news agency, Qalibaf was leading with 17.8 percent support from 10,000 voters canvassed, ahead of Rowhani with 14.6 percent. They were followed by Jalili with 9.8 percent.

The number of undecided voters stood at 30.5 percent -- translating to about 15 million voters -- while 11.3 percent declined to answer.

The surge of support for Rowhani came after Aref, the only reformist candidate in the race, announced on Tuesday he was withdrawing at the urging of Khatami.

AFP