TEHRAN - A former first vice president and reform-minded politician has said that he has consulted President Hassan Rouhani in relation to the upcoming parliamentary elections which are going to be held in early 2016.

“When we sit with the elite, we talk about different issues, including the elections. This year the most important topic is the elections, and as a rule, the elections are discussed whenever we meet one of the elites,” Mohammad Reza Aref said in answer to a question whether the topic was discussed in his Sunday visit with Rouhani, according to Tasnim news agency.

Reports surfaced on Sunday that Aref had met Rouhani in the presidential office.

Although reformist media called it a New Year visit, it is said that the top issue discussed there was the parliamentary elections.

During the meeting, Aref briefed Rouhani on measures taken to increase public turnout at the election booths, the Etemad newspaper reported.

Rouhani, for his turn, called for efforts to promote a fair and enthusiastic election in accordance with the public demand in order to form a parliament that represents people’s ideas.

He also urged the need for all intrastate tastes to be involved in the elections, counting it as a prerequisite for the public to welcome the event.

SP/P