reformist candidate

Electoral analysts estimate that Matua voters influence outcomes in 60 to 65 assembly seats. In the second phase alone, they are a key factor in 21 constituencies. In tightly contested elections, this scale of influence gives the community leverage that political parties cannot ignore. This is evident in recent electoral trends.

Long before electoral arithmetic began to matter, the Ezhavas were fighting for something more fundamental. Recognition, dignity and access. In 1896, a petition signed by 13,176 members of the community was submitted to the Travancore maharaja, protesting their exclusion from government jobs. It was not merely a grievance letter. It was an early articulation of collective political consciousness.

TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader ordered the hardline constitutional watchdog to reconsider its decision to bar senior reformist candidates from next month's presidential elections.

The main coalition of reformists in Iran said on Saturday that it would only participate in this month's presidential election if at least one of their candidates is approved to run. "Reformists participate in elections if they have a candidate, otherwise, participation should not be expected," said the reform front spokesperson, Javad Emam.

The United States has criticized Iran's recent presidential election, describing it as "neither free nor fair" and asserting that electing Masoud Pezeshkian as President will not alter the "Islamic Republic's stance on human rights". Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, won the runoff election with approximately 53.6% of the vote, defeating ultraconservative Saeed Jalili. A US spokesperson emphasized that despite the election results, the United States intends to continue diplomatic engagements with Tehran "when it advances American interests".

Iran gears up for a presidential election runoff between Pezeshkian and Jalili following a record-low turnout in the first round. Both candidates have differing views on international relations and economic challenges. The election outcome could have significant implications for Iran's future direction.

Behind the scenes, senior officials tried to derail his rise with last-minute moves. But powerful generals and hardliners closed ranks — and forced the outcome

Thousands of Iranian candidates approved to run in parliamentary elections kicked off their campaigns Thursday ahead of next week's vote, even after authorities barred thousands of others from running, mainly reformists and moderates. The February 21 parliamentary elections come amid some of the highest tensions between Tehran and Washington in the past four decades.

Iran's presidential contest headed toward a showdown between the country's hard-line judiciary chief and moderate former Central Bank chief on Wednesday, as two candidates dropped out on the last day of campaigning to clear a path for the challengers.

Iran's interior ministry has announced six candidates for the June 28 election, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Among the predominantly conservative candidates are parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, with Massoud Pezeshkian as the sole reformist. Notable exclusions include former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and moderate Ali Larijani.

In Iran's presidential runoff election held on Saturday, Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate and heart surgeon, emerged as the winner. His campaign promises included engaging with Western nations and easing the enforcement of Iran's mandatory headscarf law. These pledges resonated with voters following a challenging period marked by sanctions and protests that have put pressure on the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian's rival, the hard-liner Saeed Jalili, was unsuccessful in his bid for the presidency.

Six candidates, including five conservatives and one reformist, vie in Iran's presidential election following Ebrahim Raisi's tragic death. Highlights include Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's parliamentary leadership, Saeed Jalili's nuclear negotiation history, and Massoud Pezeshkian's reformist stance. Mostafa Pourmohammadi and Alireza Zakani bring clerical and mayoral backgrounds, respectively.

Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate in Iran's presidential election, faces the challenge of rallying disillusioned voters after historic low turnout. His campaign, advocating for improved relations with the West and a return to the nuclear deal, contrasts sharply with his hard-line opponent Jalili. Despite his reformist stance and endorsements, including from former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Pezeshkian contends with widespread public discontent over economic hardships and civil rights issues. With skepticism towards the electoral process pervasive, his candidacy seeks to rejuvenate faith in Iran's political future amid lingering societal divisions.

Iranians voted in a pivotal presidential election following ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi's death, with reformist Masoud Pezeshkian challenging a divided conservative field. Key candidates include conservatives Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Saeed Jalili. Amid tensions and economic sanctions, supreme leader Khamenei urged high voter turnout, emphasizing the election's importance for the Islamic Republic's future.

Iran's parliamentary elections saw low turnout as many people protested against the government. Social media pleas and rose distribution failed to increase voter participation. Reformist and conservative factions faced a boycott. Iranians demanded change beyond existing political parties. State television presented a different narrative.

Following the election of US President Joe Biden, Washington, European powers and Tehran are trying to salvage the troubled 2015 nuclear accord, which granted Iran international sanctions relief in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

The decision by Ali Larijani, long a prominent conservative voice who later allied himself with Iran's relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani, came on the last day of registration for the June 18 election. While a panel overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ultimately will approve candidates, Larijani has maintained close ties to the cleric over his decades in government.

Ebrahim Raisi, who heads Iran's judiciary, is the clear favourite from an all-male field of seven candidates to replace President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate elected on promises of social and cultural reform.

Iran holds a presidential election runoff Friday between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili following a record-low turnout in the first round. "The second round of the presidential election is very important," he said in a video carried by state TV. - Low turnout - He said participation was "not as expected" in the first round but that it was not an act "against the system."

Friday's election came after months of steeply escalating tensions between Iran and its decades-old arch foe the United States. Voters had been widely expected to stay away in droves, disillusioned over unfulfilled promises and struggling to cope in a country whose economy has buckled under harsh US sanctions.

Iran began counting ballots after a low turnout election, following protests over the death of Mahsa Amini and the country's economic crisis. The voters' enthusiastic participation was seen as a failure to Iran's enemies. Reformist president Mohammad Khatami and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had differing views on the elections.

After a redo of Romania's presidential election first round, hard-right nationalist George Simion secured a decisive victory, setting the stage for a runoff against pro-Western reformist Nicusor Dan. The May 18 runoff election pits two anti-establishment candidates with opposing ideologies against each other, potentially reshaping Romania's geopolitical direction within the EU and NATO.