Hardliner judge Ebrahim Raisi set to take over Iran presidency amid voter boycott

Raisi, a close Khamenei ally who vows to fight corruption, is under US sanctions for alleged involvement in executions of political prisoners decades ago.

Millions of Iranians voted on Friday in a contest set to hand the presidency to a hardline judge who is subject to US sanctions, though anger over economic hardship and curbs on freedoms mean many will heed calls for a boycott. Senior officials appealed for a large turnout in an election widely seen as a referendum on their handling of the economy, including rising prices and unemployment and a collapse in the value of its currency. "I urge everyone with any political view to vote," judiciary head Ebrahim Raisi, the front-runner in the contest, said after casting his ballot.