Who are you voting for and why?
Ahmadinejad. Under presidents Rafsanjani and Khatami poverty and corruption in Iran have increased. What are the rich doing for the people here? Ahmadinejad is addressing the issues of unemployment, youth, corruption and discrimination. As Mayor of Tehran he has put the right people in the municipal offices: they are competent and efficient. I believe he can bring these traits to his presidency

Should Iran reopen its relationship with America?
We should restart negotiations only if the circumstances are right and be very careful. America is now everywhere in the Middle East. Iran is the only place left in which they cannot interfere

Should Iran progress with its nuclear programme regardless of the threat of sanctions?
We started our own nuclear programme independent of the West, and that is how we shall finish it. What can more sanctions do? We are heavily sanctioned already. Other countries have nuclear weapons so why shouldn’t we?

Is constitutional reform neccessary?
It would be good if it ended discrimination between rich and poor. Employment is affected by nepotism. The constitution was written in Imam Khomeini’s time. If he were alive he would want changes

Baharak Meemaran, 21, graphic design student

Who are you voting for? Why?
He can solve the fighting and rifts between the parties. He’s also clever and experienced. He’s an economics man and no one can interfere with him. People should be able to live freely — if you don’t want to wear hejab you shouldn’t have to. And just as one shouldn’t be forced to live under the umbrella of Islam, religious people shouldn’t be forced to adopt Western values. Rafsanjani is a step towards this. Under Ahmadinejad freedom would disappear. He’ll literally build a road and force women on one side and the men on the other

Should Iran reopen its relationship with America?
Up to a certain point, if they don’t take advantage of us — relations with the US are a good thing because it would help bring liberalism to Iran

Should Iran continue its nuclear programme regardless of Western opinion?
Yes. The West wants to take advantage of Iran’s resources, like oil. Iran has the right to nuclear energy — that’s if it doesn’t take advantage and build a bomb. But I don’t think anyone should have nuclear bombs

Is constitutional reform necessary?
Yes. In written form the constitution is fine but it doesn’t allow freedom or freedom of thought

Explore World News

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

Times Recommends

• Obama buoyant as Oregon and Kentucky vote
• Russia edges closer to proxy war with Georgia
• Burma junta shows signs of backtracking