Green Movement leader Karroubi cast vote in house arrest

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of IHRNGO, cautioned that Iranian authorities historically reduce executions "to encourage people to participate in the elections" and then sharply increase them immediately afterward.

“The people of Iran and the international community must prepare now to counter and respond appropriately to the potential wave of executions,” Amiry-Moghaddam stated.

IHRNGO’s latest figures show 249 executions have occurred over the past six months. The report indicates a 30% decrease in executions compared to last year, attributing this decline to the parliamentary and presidential elections. The organization's 15-year statistical analysis shows a consistent decline in executions in the two weeks leading up to elections, believed to be a tactic to boost voter turnout.

The report also details that 14 people were executed for security and ideological reasons, including five who were hanged on charges of spying for Israel. Additionally, it was noted that 35 of the executed individuals were Baluchis, who, despite making up only 2-6% of Iran's population, accounted for 14% of all executions.

In December, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran highlighted the "shocking" levels of killings, torture, and brutality against the Baluch minority, noting that Baluchis are disproportionately targeted and executed within the Iranian criminal justice system.

In Iran's eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, the predominantly Sunni Baluch community has faced severe persecution over the past 44 years, enduring the highest execution rate in the country.

Iran’s Interior Ministry has extended voting for two hours, until 8 pm (local time), to allow late-comers to cast ballots in the runoff presidential election.

Political prisoners in Tehran’s Evin Prison abstained from voting in the runoff presidential elections, just as they did last week, according to former political prisoner Mehdi Mahmoudian.

Among them were Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, reformist politician Mostafa Tajzadeh, and former MP Faezeh Hashemi.

First, the two finalists engaged in serious mudslinging toward the end of their campaigns, damaging each other's credibility. Second, at least 60 percent of voters refused to go to the polls, exposing a significant rupture in the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic.

The relatively moderate Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili have accused each other of lying, hypocrisy, inefficiency and corruption several times during this week’s debates. Neither had even the chance to respond to the allegations because of the chaotic nature of the debates aired on Iran's state television.

All the candidates, particularly the final two, have seriously undermined the status of Iranian Presidents, both past and future. They repeatedly emphasized that presidents are unable to bring about any change in the country's rigid political system. They also pointed out that there are areas, such as hijab enforcement and internet filtering, where Iranian presidents have no influence.

The debates aired on national TV revealed to voters that the two men, one of whom will certainly be the country's next president, are incapable of engaging in a healthy dialogue. They frequently interrupted each other and displayed visible irritation, undermining their credibility.

Numerous programs aired on state TV showed that both politicians, along with their aides and supporters, were unable to control their anger. They proved incapable of handling challenges and disputes diplomatically and calmly. None of their interactions could be characterized as civilized debate, often ending in unresolved conflict.

All that said, the winner has to face serious international challenges starting with the saber rattling in the Middle East and the prospects of political changes in Europe and the United States that are likely to affect Iran's place in the international equilibrium.

There is also the ongoing war in Ukraine and allegations about Iran's involvement in the conflict. Tough decisions and compromises are needed to balance Tehran's interests, especially considering China’s and Russia's interactions with Iran's southern neighbors.

Hard decisions in terms of foreign policy need to be made to lift crippling sanctions on the country’s oil exports imposed by the United States to rein in its nuclear program. Tehran is in desperate need of dollars to finance its essential imports and make at least minimal investments in its aging oil and gas industry.

Responding to allegations about Iran's regional ambitions and its involvement in international terrorism may be even more challenging than routine diplomatic transactions. Additionally, these challenges are compounded by a significant portion of the population that chose not to vote in the first round, driven by lingering resentment from the violent crackdown on the 2022 protests and ongoing financial problems that have worsened over the past three years under an ultraconservative government.

Addressing hunger, providing jobs to the unemployed, and pacifying disgruntled youths and women should be the new president's priorities within the country. Achieving these goals requires overcoming the ideological barriers between the people and the state.

Beyond these immediate concerns are the systemic challenges that have hindered the country's development since 1979. Regardless of who wins the election on Saturday, the pressing question remains: Given the significant damage to both candidates' reputations during the debates and the diminished status of the presidency, will either be able to accomplish even half of what is expected?

Amir Shahidi, the father of Mehrshad Shahidi, a 20-year-old chef killed by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces in October 2022, wrote on his X account: "Some political factions have attempted to take advantage of the good name of our dear Mehrshad... The Shahidi family does not support any political factions or presidential candidates and considers the use of Mehrshad's name as immoral." The lawyer of the Shahidi family also stated that if Mehrshad Shahidi's name is taken advantage of during election campaigns, they will take legal action against the individuals and parties involved.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the former Deputy Minister of Education, mentioned Mehrshad Shahidi in her speech during an election campaign in the central city of Arak in support of Masoud Pezeshkian, a presidential candidate. She stated that, as a mother, she could not permit "another Mehrshad Shahidi to fall. We will not allow a few totalitarians to saturate our streets with the blood of our youth."

This is not the first time Pezeshkian’s campaign has faced backlash. During the run-up to the first round of the presidential elections, Pezeshkian visited the graves of some of the victims of Flight PS752, downed by IRGC missiles in 2020, which outraged their families.

Additionally, Pezeshkian's use of an iconic song from Iran's nationwide protests in his presidential campaign sparked backlash on social media. Critics assert that while Pezeshkian condemned the protests dubbed Woman, Life, Freedom, he appropriated the movement's song, “Baraye,” for political gain.

The demonstrations, lasting for months, began after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody, resulting in over 550 deaths. In 2022, Pezeshkian condemned the demonstrations as orchestrated acts of hostility, blaming the US and Europe for igniting Iran's largest uprising since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, several families who lost their loved ones during protests in Iran emphasized boycotting the elections by posting on social media.

Mahsa Amini's father stated that his family is boycotting the presidential elections. “We are not endorsing any specific candidate in this election, and we have little hope for the realization of justice in the future," Amjad Amini wrote on Instagram.

Saeed Afkari, the brother of Navid Afkari, who was executed in September 2020 after participating in protests and being accused of killing a government employee, posted several texts about this on X.

Fatemeh Heydari, the sister of Javad Heydari, killed during the crackdown on the 2022 protests in Qazvin, wrote on X: "Although we lack media coverage and financial resources, we will not allow this treacherous minority to amplify their hollow voices over ours, the majority of the Iranian people."

Shabnam Eskandari, the sister of Mohammadreza Eskandari, a victim of the nationwide protests of 2022, described the last moments of her brother’s life and addressed the voters by saying: "They shot him with a military-grade bullet at the corner of the street: amidst heavy gunfire, no one could even take him to the clinic."

The brother of Erfan Khazaei, killed during 2022 nationwide protests, wrote on X, “Choose the right side of history.”