Presidential vote timelapse: May 9

Mirsalim criticizes Rouhani's economic policies

Presidential candidate, Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, has accused President Hassan Rouhani of not adhering to the principles of resistance economy.

Aqa-Mirsalim warned that joblessness will have social consequences. He referred to the government's statistics of eight percent economic growth. The presidential hopeful says six percent of the figure is thanks to oil exports which is not something to be proud of. Aqa-Mirsalim blames the government for the current economic situation. He regards unemployment as Iran’s most pressing issue and promised to help job creation by fighting smuggling and modifying import regulations. Critics however blame Mirsalim for not having a proper plan for dealing with the problem.

Qalibaf slams Rouhani in campaign rally

Presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has criticized President Rouhani’s performance in a campaign rally in the city of Ahwaz.

Qalibaf says the government has nothing to offer and has failed to address the people’s demands after four years. He accused the current administration of failing to fully tap into the country’s potential. The presidential hopeful says he wants to put an end to what he calls a government that only supports the four percent of the society who are well-off. Qalibaf promised to back the most vulnerable people of society if he gets elected. He also reiterated his pledge to create five-million jobs and stressed that the measure is possible.

Raeisi pledges to fix economy in campaign rally

Iranian presidential candidate Ebrahim Raeisi has sharply criticized the performance of his rival incumbent president Hassan Rouhani. He made the remarks during a campaign rally in the south-eastern Iranian city of Zahedan.

Raeisi said if the government had truly believed in the people particularly the youth, the country's would have been better off. He voiced concern about the shutdown of some production units during the Rouhani administration. The presidential hopeful cited the high rate of unemployment as another failure of the 11th administration. Raeisi pledged to resolve economic problems if elected president.

Rouhani underlines role of women in Iran

President Hassan Rouhani who is seeking re-election, has underlined the important role of Iranian women. He made the remark during a campaign rally in Tehran where he was cheered by his mostly female supporters.

Rouhani says women have played a decisive role in the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution and in the past elections. He urged his female supporters to turn out at polling stations on Election Day en masse. Without naming anyone, Rouhani accused some of his rivals of trying to deceive voters by making unrealistic promises. The incumbent president, however, says the nation can tell deceitful words from the truth. He renewed criticism of the previous administration’s policies due to which he believes thousands of women lost their jobs.

Jahangiri defends nuclear deal

Iran’s first vice-president Es'haq Jahangiri who is also running for president, has defended the Rouhani administration's nuclear deal with the P5+1 group.

Jahangiri says the 11th administration managed to resolve the complicated issue of Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy. He says Iran has faced a whole range of western sanctions and the Rouhani administration restored the country’s economic and political calm. The Iranian presidential candidate has also criticized the performance of the previous administration blaming it for the dire economic situation in the country.

Hashemitaba to cut subsidy cash payments if elected

Presidential hopeful Mostafa Hashemitaba has promised to cut all monthly subsidy cash payments if he wins the election.

Hashemitaba criticizes some of his rivals for promising to triple the amount. He believes the move will not cause any positive change in the people’s purchasing power. Instead, it would increase inflation. He stressed that such slogans will hurt the economy. He has proposed attracting more investment be it domestic or foreign and boosting national gross production as ways of increasing employment and purchasing power.

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