Hashemi Taba made the remarks in a statement released on Monday.

The presidential candidate underlined importance of protecting national security and peace in the country.

He criticized principalist candidates’ electoral campaign for demonizing the incumbent government achievements.

He also hailed the incumbent government successes, including removal of sanctions, increase of oil export, realization of economic growth and execution of healthcare program.

The presidential candidate called for attaching importance to agriculture sector and eliminating state subsidies for rich as well as absorbing foreign investments.

Hashemi Taba said, “He will vote for the current president to help extension of this government constructive approach.”

Hashemi-Taba, (born in 1947), was a vice president under former Presidents late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former minister of industries, and the former head of the Sports Organization.

Ebrahim Raeisi, Custodian of Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine, Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mostafa Mirsalim and former minister of physical education Mostafa Hashemi Taba, as well as President Hassan Rouhani are the six candidates to run for presidency in the forthcoming presidential elections.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution which led to the fall of the Pahlavi regime, Iran has held one election each year on average, all of which have witnessed large turnout of the people.

Over 56 million Iranians are eligible to vote in Iran’s 12th presidential elections, according to Ali Asghar Ahmadi, head of the Election Headquarters of the Interior Ministry.

Some 66.7 percent of respondents to a survey carried out by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on May 7-8 said they will participate in Iran’s May 19 presidential elections.

Source: irna.ir