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Iran ex-president Rafsanjani to stand again

He today filed his papers at the inteior ministry during the final minutes of the five-day registration process which wrapped up today

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PTI AFP Tehran
Iran's moderate conservative former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani today registered his candidacy to stand for the office again in the election on June 14.

Rafsanjani, who will be 79 in August, filed his papers at the interior ministry during the final minutes of the five-day registration process which wrapped up today.

"I came to serve. It is the right of the people to choose me or not," Iranian media quoted him as saying.
      
Rafsanjani has been isolated since the 2009 presidential election, which saw massive street protests against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
      
He then called for the release of people rounded up during the demonstrations.
        
Rafsanjani, president between 1989 and 1997, currently chairs the Expediency Council, the highest political arbitration body, whose members are appointed by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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First Published: May 11 2013 | 8:56 PM IST

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