Iran preparing for peaceful election in insecure region

TEHRAN - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Wednesday highlighted the significance of preparing for a peaceful and secure election while the rest of the Middle East region is gripped with insecurity and conflict.

In a televised speech Wednesday, two days ahead of presidential and city council elections scheduled for Friday May 19, Supreme Leader said the United States and its allies, including the "pathetic prime minister of the Zionist regime," or Israel, are closely watching the vote.

"Elections are going to be held in two days in a country with an 80-million population where the nation is getting ready for a passionate and enthusiastic turnout, but peace is preserved everywhere," Ayatollah Khamenei said, while highlighting the significance of this peaceful atmosphere in an otherwise turbulent region.

"All administrative, monitoring and security bodies are making serious and coordinated efforts for the holding of a secure election," he said, adding "despite the presence of these reliable bodies, I would still like to further stress the importance of preserving the votes of people."

He went on to add, "the Iranian nation has enemies. In the face of enemies, the nation needs to adopt a determined, confident, composed and peaceful visage."President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate, is seeking re-election in a vote that will largely serve as a referendum on his outreach to the West, which culminated in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the significance of 'discipline' both before, during and after the election, adding "people's adherence to discipline and law is very important. This is exactly what many countries lack, but our nation has and shows that they have learned from past experiences."

"The Iranian nation has learned how much this order and discipline benefits them and how non-compliance with law and order will be harmful to them," he stressed.