Iran's police deploys forces nationwide to ensure security during elections

Iran's Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Eskandar Momeni said Tuesday that some 250,000 police officers have been deployed throughout the country to ensure the security of the two major elections on Friday.

Police forces will also use 18 helicopters to reinforce security during elections countrywide, Momeni was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Iran's border police commander, Qasem Rezaee, said Monday that Iran set up special headquarters to tighten security measures around the borders until elections end on Feb. 26.

The headquarters were established Saturday to monitor security in the region until elections are over, Rezaee said.

Police forces intensified security measures around the borders two months ago, he added.

Iran's Interior Minister, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said earlier that the ministry took all the necessary procedures to ensure safe elections.

Iran's Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry announced Tuesday that 500 journalists from 29 countries will cover both the Parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections in Iran Friday.

Iranians will participate in both the Parliamentary election as well as that of the Assembly of Experts on Feb. 26.

Out of 12,000 registered candidates, 6,229 are competing for 290 seats in the Majlis, or the Parliament.

Meanwhile, 166 candidates are running in elections to win 88 seats in the Assembly of Experts.

The Assembly is an analytical body composed of Muslim theologians known as Mujtahids who are elected for eight-year terms, and are charged with electing, removing and supervising the supreme leader of Iran and his actions. Endit