Reformist candidates swept municipal elections in Iran’s capital, taking all 21 seats in Tehran as moderate President Hassan Rouhani won a second term, state media reported Monday. Rafsanjani’s vote total surpassed all the votes received by hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi in his failed presidential bid against Rouhani. The sweep means reformists can replace Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who had been a presidential candidate before withdrawing to support Raisi. His success at the polls likely carried reformist candidates to victory in other municipal elections as well. Each province’s governor announces the final results of the municipal elections and tallying results from those votes always take more time than presidential polls.

Source: Egypt Independent May 22, 2017 10:54 UTC