Iran’s Constitutional Council has validated the first round’s results of the country’s 14th presidential election. It means candidates could now begin electoral campaigns for the run-off.

The announcement was made by Hadi Tahan Nazif, spokesman for the council, an institution that oversees the process and results of elections. He said the institution confirms the results following investigation and reviews.

In the first round of voting for the snap presidential race that started early on Friday and ended at midnight after being extended three times. No candidate obtained more than 50 per cent of the total votes needed to call a winner. Iran’s 14th presidential election, initially set for 2025, was rescheduled following the unexpected death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.