Iranian EC chairman encourages massive participation in election

TEHRAN, Feb. 27 (MNA) – Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani encourages a massive participation in the Friday parliamentary election, his son Mohsen Hashemi told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony held to mark the death of the father of Abdullah Nouri on Sunday. Abdullah Nouri was interior minister during Mohammad Khatami’s administration. Mohsen Hashemi, a member of the Servants of Construction Party who was the managing director of the Tehran Metro Co. until recently, expressed hope that people would turn out in large number in elections. However, he said he does not know what percentage of people will take part in the election. When pressed for whom he will vote, he said, “Since casting vote is secret I should not say to whom I will vote.” Asked about Rafsanjani’s view of massive participation in election, Mohsen Hashemi said, “He will surely become happy.” He added, “Ayatollah Hashemi has said he seeks massive participation in election.”