TEHRAN (Iran News) –The Leader cast his ballot at the Imam Khomeini Husseiniya of Tehran at 8 am local time, with enthusiastic journalists and photographers present at the site of the voting.

In comments after voting in the 14th presidential election, Ayatollah Khamenei prayed that the best days and years would come for the Iranian nation.

Describing the election day as a day of happiness and exhilaration for Iranians, the Leader said it is even more important when it comes to presidential election, which will shape the fate of the country’s next few years.

Highlighting the importance of the presence of people in the polls, Ayatollah Khamenei said a high turnout of voters is a “definite need” for the Islamic Republic, which is founded upon the presence of people.

The continuation, honor, dignity and strength of the Islamic Republic in the world hinges on people’s presence, the Leader stated.

Ayatollah Khamenei called on people to participate in the “important political test” of voting and take it serious.

Asked about the undecided and hesitant eligible voters, the Leader stressed that the people should have no doubts and take part in the polls, since it is not a difficult process, but an easy job, yet with important results.

Polling stations across Iran opened at 8 am local time and will continue to receive voters for ten hours. However, the Interior Ministry may extend the election period if necessary.

More than 61,450,000 eligible Iranian voters can take part in the ongoing elections inside the country and abroad.

The individuals born on or before June 28, 2006, are eligible to vote.

Around 59,000 polling stations have been set up across the country, including over 15,000 mobile stations.

A total of 340 polling stations have been also set up in 100 countries to enable the Iranian expatriates to take part in the election.

Forces from the Police, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Basij are tasked with ensuring security of the election.

There are four candidates seeking presidency in the polls, including Saeed Jalili, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Masoud Pezeshkian. Two other hopefuls, Alireza Zakani and Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi dropped out of the race on Wednesday and Thursday.

The candidates have been singled out by the Constitutional Council from 80 applicants seeking the presidency.

The new administration, the 14th one after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will assume power in late June or early July and hold office for four years.

The polls take place a year ahead of schedule, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi passed away in May.

A helicopter carrying President Raisi and his entourage crashed in northwestern mountainous forests on May 19, killing the president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six others.