TEHRAN – Registration began on Thursday for those who hopefuls who intend to compete in the snap presidential election following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

The registration process will last for five days.

The election headquarters also announced on Thursday that presidential debates will be held like the past three rounds of presidential elections.

All candidates must be vetted by the 12-member Constitutional Council. The Interior Ministry will release the names of the qualified candidates on June 11.

Early presidential election is required under Articles 131 and 132 of the Constitution which stipulate that a new president should be elected by public votes within a maximum of 50 days from the day when a president dies or is incapacitated.

After the death of President Raisi, heads of the three branches of the government set June 28 for the snap presidential election.

It will be the 14th round of presidential elections since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Five figures registered on Thursday to run for president. Among them were Saeed Jalili, the former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Mostapha Kavakebian, the secretary general of Mardomsalari (Democratic) Party.   

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told reporters on Thursday that the country is at a sensitive juncture after the death of the president but no disruption happened in managing affairs thanks to the wise guidelines of Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the rules set by the Constitution.

Presidential campaigns will begin on June 12 and will run until June 27, according to the timetable announced by the government.

On May 20, Ayatollah Khamenei assigned Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to assume managing the executive branch as per Article 131 of the Constitution.

Raisi, his foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and six others, including the Leader’s representative in East Azerbaijan province and the provincial governor, died when their helicopter crashed in foggy weather in the mountains near the northwestern border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.