Iran presidential runoff elections: Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian leads hard-liner Saeed Jalili

In the Iran presidential runoff elections, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian is leading hard-liner Saeed Jalili by over 2 million votes early on Saturday.
According to Reuters sources, Masoud Pezeshkian, moderate candidate known for maintaining a low profile, is projected to emerge victorious in the presidential run-off election that was held on Friday.
The source, who requested anonymity, said, "The vote counting has ended and the rival candidates have been informed about the result. Pezeshkian is around three million votes ahead of his hardline rival Saeed Jalili." The results are yet to to be declared to the public.
Earlier, it was reported that Pezeshkian has secured atleast 11.1 million votes against Jalili's 9 million, according to election spokesperson Mohsen Eslami.
Based on preliminary results also, Pezeshkian was reported to be ahead in the election, according to the interior ministry.
Footage circulating on various social media platforms depicted Pezeshkian's supporters celebrating his triumph by dancing in the streets of multiple cities and drivers expressing their joy through the honking of car horns.
In Urmia, Pezeshkian's birthplace situated in the northwest, residents were seen distributing sweets to passersby on the streets as a gesture of celebration.
Although the election is not anticipated to significantly influence the policies of the Islamic Republic, the president will play a crucial role in the selection process of the successor to the 85-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds the ultimate authority in making decisions on key matters concerning the state.
This election follows the first round of voting on June 28, which saw the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has traditionally highlighted voter turnout as an indication of support for its Shiite theocracy, which is currently under economic strain from sanctions and facing widespread demonstrations and harsh crackdowns on dissent.
Pezeshkian, the only moderate among the initial four candidates, and Jalili, a hardline ex-nuclear negotiator who strongly supports strengthening relations with Russia and China were the top two candidates and thus, headed to the runoff elections.
The ministry also reported that early figures indicate voter participation was approximately 50%, which is an increase compared to the initial round of voting. State television broadcasted footage of moderate queues at various polling stations throughout the nation.
However contrasting videos circulating online seemed to present a different picture, with some polling centers appearing to be empty. A survey conducted across numerous locations in Tehran, the capital city, revealed a low voter turnout.