Iranians across the country are voting in a snap presidential election in which many liberal people are voting for the lone so-called “Reformist” candidate on June 28.

More than 60mn people in the country and abroad are eligible to vote in the early election that is taking place following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash close to the border of Azerbaijan.

Over the past week, a groundswell of support from different factions has coalesced around Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, whose main competition appears to be centrist corporatist Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and extremist diplomat Saeed Jalili, who has the support of those who support Ali Khamenei the Supreme Leader.

A fourth candidate, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a cleric who has remained in the race despite poor support, is also on the ballot.

Two other candidates, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and Parliament official Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, announced on June 27 that they would step down to consolidate the election.

Voting is underway at 58,640 polling stations across the country, mostly in schools and mosques and several foreign diplomatic locations and other locations as far afield as Australia.

Iran’s top cleric, Ali Khamenei, called on Iranian voters to turn out at polling stations to determine the country's future and make the "best and most useful choice".  

Ayatollah Khamenei cast his ballot at a polling station on his compound in Tehran just as the voting began.

"I pray for the best days and years and the highest blessings for our beloved nation," the Leader told reporters after voting.

“I think there is one important issue besides this, and that is the enthusiastic turnout of the people and the increase in the number of voters” he added. 

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's former foreign minister, urged widespread participation in the June 28 election, asserting that change is only achievable through voting.

Zarif cast his ballot at Tehran's Jamaran Husseinia amidst a backdrop of economic challenges and political tension.

In a tweet, Zarif said: "Hello friends, change is only possible with your vote. The only result of not voting is the victory of the minority and the continuation and intensification of the situation we are unhappy with. Our promise is to be at the ballot box before 6 PM; it might be too late after 6 PM; tomorrow is definitely too late.”

“Strive and do good when they see winter, bring spring,” he added.

Change is only possible with your vote. The sole result of not voting is the victory of the minority and the continuation and intensification of the situation we are dissatisfied with."

Addressing concerns about voter apathy, the former diplomat acknowledged existing grievances but cautioned against boycotting the ballot box.

“I respect everyone's choice. There are grievances and dissatisfactions, but boycotting the ballot box is not the solution,” he remarked.

At midday on June 28, Mohsen Eslami, the country's election headquarters spokesman, warned the opposing factions not to slander their opponents at the voting centres when meeting with the press and voters. He threatened that those who did that would be expelled from polling stations.