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Cold Start in Tehran As Elections Heat Up

Excitement over Iran's presidential election is missing, despite election day being two weeks away.
Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili attends a news conference at the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul May 16, 2013. Iran is prepared to pursue nuclear diplomacy with world powers before or after next month's presidential election in the Islamic Republic, its chief negotiator said on Thursday.  REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) ENERGY) - RTXZOPP

The June presidential election in Iran is approaching and the campaigns are escalating, but there is little sign of excitement about the election on the streets of Tehran.

Unlike the previous presidential election in 2009, it seems that the final candidates introduced by the Guardian Council have failed to organize their supporters mainly because they have not emerged from a clear structural basis formed by influential political parties. According to the constitution, all Iranian citizens who have been born in Iran, believe in God and the official religion of the country (Islam), have always been loyal to the constitution, and are more than 21 years of age are allowed to sign up as candidates to run for the presidency.

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