Iran's presidential election, originally announced for May 29, will be held on June 8, state radio reported Sunday, citing the supreme electoral body, the Council of Guardians.
A communiqué from the council said the decision had been taken after internal debate and in consultation with the ministries of the interior and education.
Press reports on October 22 said Deputy Interior Minister Mostafa Tajzadeh had suggested May 29 to the powerful conservative-led Guardians Council.
Reformist President Mohammed Khatami was elected on May 23, 1997 with nearly 70 percent of the vote, including heavy support from women and young people.
Khatami is expected to run for a second term, but reports have suggested he might yield to heavy pressure from conservatives to prevent him standing again.
Under Iranian law, a head of state can only serve two successive terms.
Interior Minister Abdol-Vahed Mussavi-Lari told parliament last month that Iran would also hold elections to fill 19 remaining empty seats in parliament on the same day as the presidential polls.
June 8 is around the end of the Iranian school year -- TEHRAN (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
