TEHRAN -- Iranians voted Friday in a snap election to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, choosing from a group of four candidates in a race market by a high voter turnout. 
Voters in Tehran and many other cities braved sweltering heat to queue up at polling stations to cast their ballots. 
Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) and were planned to close at 6:00 p.m. (1430 GMT), but they were extended for four hours by the time this paper was going to print amid high turnout reported across the country.
There were reports of growing congestion at polling stations during evening hours when simmering temperatures drop. In the past, an eleventh-hour turnout at ballot boxes has been a common sight.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on voters to turn out at polling stations to determine the country’s future and make the “best and most useful choice”.  
Ayatollah Khamenei cast his ballot at a polling station in Tehran just as the voting began on Friday morning.
“Election day is a day of joy and happiness for us Iranians, especially when the election is for selecting the president as the future of the country will be determined by this choice of the people.
“However, I think there is one important issue besides this, and that is the enthusiastic turnout of the people and the increase in the number of voters. This is a definite need for the Islamic Republic,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic by its name indicates that the participation of the people is included in the essence of the system.
“Therefore, the durability, consistency, dignity and reputation of the Islamic Republic in the world depend on the turnout of the people. That is why we recommend our dear people to take voting seriously and participate in this important political test.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said, “I hope that God will choose the best option for this country and that the coming years, God willing, will be good and favorable years 
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