Presidential hopeful Mir-Hossein Mousavi asks the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to take measures aimed at protecting the vote and ensuring a healthy election.

In a letter to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Mousavi requested the Leader to intervene and advise all officials to remain impartial in the Friday election.

Citing that the Leader's main concerns were "a high turnout, law observation, impartiality and a healthy election", Mousavi asked Ayatollah Khamenei to recommend that all sides involved in the election remain impartial so that the votes of the nation could be safeguarded.

On Tuesday, a former president and the chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, also wrote a letter to the Leader on the need to ensure a free fair election.

"In the remaining time [until Friday's poll], it seems necessary that the nation's and your Excellency's demand to hold a clean and glorious election with a high turnout be met," read the letter. "This can save the country from dangers and create national confidence and unity."

Presidential polls will open on Friday for more than 46 million Iranians, who are eligible to cast their ballot.

War-era prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi (1981-1989), two-time parliament (Majlis) speaker Mehdi Karroubi (1989-1992 and 2000-2004) and Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei have joined the presidential fray.

Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has also signed-up to seek yet another four-year term in office.

AR/MMN