Iranian expatriates in the UAE participated in a pivotal election to select the successor of former President Ebrahim Raisi, who passed away in a helicopter accident in May. Iranian missions reported a "good turnout" among expats on Friday, as they exercised their voting rights to influence the future of their homeland.
"Voting is crucial. This election occurs at a critical juncture. We aspire for stability and progress," commented an expatriate, identifying himself as Saleh. Iranian expats aged 18 and over were permitted to vote at the Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, provided they presented their national identity card or passport. Special stations were established to ensure a smooth voting process, with ballots being placed in a sealed box.
Iranian Ambassador Reza Ameri highlighted that early presidential elections were also conducted in approximately 95 other countries, including the UAE, where Iranian nationals reside. "In the UAE, there are roughly half a million Iranians, predominantly in Dubai," Ameri stated. Despite having only two centers in the UAE, approximately 60,000 polling stations were set up globally.
The ambassador clarified that while paper ballots are the primary method of voting outside Iran, some regions have adopted electronic voting systems. "As of now, the participation and turnout in the elections have been satisfactory, with numerous Iranian residents casting their votes in the ballot boxes," Ameri observed. He emphasized that embassies and consulates abroad will not declare the final election results directly. "We relay the results to the election center in Iran, which will compile all results from every country before the government officially announces the outcomes."
Ameri noted that the polling stations opened at 8 am local time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and closed at 6 pm. Although there was a respectable turnout at the missions, some expats did not vote. "I couldn't make it. I was at work. We face challenges such as unemployment, rising prices, and political instability. We need capable leaders. We hope for a change," expressed an expatriate, identifying himself as Reza.
