June 12, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is the top presidential hopeful for Iranian voters, according to a poll by the Islamic Republic News Agency. 27.1 per cent of respondents would support Rafsanjani in this Friday's election.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is the top presidential hopeful for Iranian voters, according to a poll by the Islamic Republic News Agency. 27.1 per cent of respondents would support Rafsanjani in this Friday's election.

Rafsanjani served as president from 1989 to 1997, and was substituted by Mohammad Khatami. After winning elections in 1997 and 2001, Khatami is ineligible for a third term.

Former science minister Mostafa Moin is second with 18.9 per cent, followed by former police chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf with 16.5 per cent, and former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karrubi with 10.8 per cent. Support is lower for Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former state media director Ali Larijani, vice-president for physical training Mohsen Mehr Alizade and Expediency Council secretary Mohsen Rezai.

After being branded as part of an "axis of evil" by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002, Iran has contended that its nuclear program aims to produce energy, not weapons.

In Iran, voters can head to the polls at the age of 16. The election is scheduled for Jun. 17. If no candidate garners more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots, a second round will take place a week later.

Polling Data

Which candidate would you vote for?

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani	27.1%
Mostafa Moin	18.9%
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf	16.5%
Mehdi Karrubi	10.8%
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad	7.7%
Ali Larijani	6.5%
Mohsen Mehr Alizade	5.9%
Mohsen Rezai	4.7%

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
Methodology: Interviews to 45,834 Iranian voters in 25 provinces, conducted in June 2005. No margin of error was provided.