Iranian candidate seeks to engage voters amid low turnout

In an attempt to engage the 60 percent of voters who abstained from the first round of Iran's presidential election, Masoud Pezeshkian, a candidate in the race, made additional pledges to merchants and shopkeepers on Tuesday.

"I promise that I will never lie and will never make a promise that I cannot keep. I will make every effort to solve the problems of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and injustice," said Pezeshkian.

The June 28 election, now proceeding to a runoff between two candidates, recorded the lowest presidential voter turnout in the Islamic Republic's history. Over 60 percent of the electorate abstained, a 9 percent drop from the 2021 election won by the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

Despite Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's June 25 call for "maximum" turnout to legitimize the system, many Iranians remain apathetic. The Guardian Council, a 12-member body with the power to disqualify candidates, maintains stringent control over the electoral process.

Pezeshkian emphasized the need for economic reforms and international engagement, but he did not address how he plans to achieve these under the eyes of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds the ultimate power over Iran's foreign policy.

Iran's trade is hampered by international sanctions, particularly from the United States, aimed at curbing its nuclear program and addressing its support for terror activities and its human rights abuses. The sanctions restrict Iran's access to global markets, technology, and foreign investment, further isolating its economy.

Pezeshkian further stated, "We will ensure that those who cannot afford to pay taxes are not burdened," but he again failed to provide concrete plans or resources to support his promises.