Iran presidential election: Polls open across the country

Polling stations are now open in Iran as Iranians cast their ballots on who of four presidential hopefuls will lead the country in the next four years.

The presidential election on Friday will be a battleground for two front runners – Hassan Rouhani, the incumbent president who is trying to bank on his achievement in securing the nuclear deal, and Ebrahim Raisi, former member of Iran's judiciary who has the support of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other candidates also include former vice president Mostafa Hashemitaba and former minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mostafa Agha Mirsalim

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Polling started at 8 a.m. local time (3:30 GMT) and will last until 6 p.m. The final result is expected to be announced in 24 hours following the election.

More than 56 million Iranians are eligible to vote in Friday's election, including 2.5 million people living outside the country. Polling stations have been set up in 103 countries around the world.

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A candidate needs to amass at least 50 percent of the votes on the first round, otherwise a runoff will be held on May 26.

The president of Iran is elected every four years and can only serve two terms. It is considered to be the most senior official next to the Supreme Leader and is responsible for the executive of the decrees and wishes of the Supreme Leader.