Rafsanjani Hopes for Stronger National Solidarity after Election

(FNA)- Expediency Council Chairman and former Iranian President Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani expressed the hope that the 11th presidential election in Iran would increase national solidarity among the Iranian people.

"We pray that the results of election will lead to national solidarity since it is a precondition for success in overcoming internal and external dangers and a ground for the settlement of problems through people's sympathy and unity by avoiding the divisions which endanger the country," Rafsanjani said after casting his vote at a polling station in Northern Tehran on Friday.

He called on the people to stage massive participation in the election to create the "Political Epic" underlined by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

The 11th Presidential and 4th City & Village Councils elections started across the country at 08:00 hours Tehran's time (0330 GMT) Friday.

Rafsanjani, who was disqualified by the Guardian Council and couldn't find a place among the vetted nominees in today's race, had declared to the media earlier this week that he would vote for former chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rouhani who belongs to his camp.

Voting will last 10 hours and polling stations close at 6 pm, although voting hours could be extended if necessary. Counting of the ballots will start at 24:00 on Friday and final results will be announced in the following 24 hours.

Presidential campaign for today's election kicked off on May 22 after the Guardian Council released the list of 8 qualified candidates - although 6 have remained in the race now - and ended at 8:00 local time on Thursday.

The qualified candidates represent a wide range of political streams from Principlists to reformers.

In addition to Rouhani, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Iranian Foreign Minister and Supreme Leader's top advisor for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati, Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, former Oil and Telecommunication Minister Seyed Mohammad Qarazi, and former Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander and Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezayee are fighting for the presidential post today.

According to presidential election laws, all Iranian nationals above 18 years of age are eligible to vote.