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Iran: 2009 Election Timeline

By NDI
  • Election date announcement

    The Iranian constitution states that the presidential election must take place no later than one month before the end of the term of the outgoing President. The Guardian Council approves the date.
  • Candidates announce candidacy

    Candidates announce candidacy
    Candidates can announce their candidacy at anytime, but must register officially with the MOI and cannot conduct campaign activities until the campaign period.
  • Candidate registration

    Candidate registration
    The GC and the MOI announce a registration period for candidates, usually one month before the election. The registration is usually a 5 day period. The registration period for the 2009 elections is May 5-10, 2009.
  • Campaign

    Campaign
    Once the official list is announced, campaign activities commence (usually one to two weeks) and continue up to 24 hours before the election.
  • GC announces approved candidates

    GC announces approved candidates
    A week to 10 days later, but at least eight days prior to the election, the GC announces the approved candidates based on MOI information.
  • Election day

    Universal suffrage of Iranians over the ages of 18
  • Run-off election

    If none of the candidates is able to win the majority of votes in the first round, a second round with only the top two candidates, will take place on a Friday the following week.
  • Election report

    Election report
    MOI submits election report, whose authenticity has been verified by the Council of Guardians, to the Majlis at the inaugural session of the Parliament.