Tehran, May 26, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that competitiveness is the spirit of elections and falls dead if the spirit is eliminated, referring to the presidential election to be held next month in Iran.

Speaking in a cabinet meeting, President Rouhani referred to the upcoming presidential election in Iran and said that the election is not only aimed at choosing a president to lead the administration, but it is also the event that guarantees the legitimacy of the political system by allowing public's participation in the polls.

Naming the duties of a president in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Rouhani said all of the decisions taken by the president would be illegitimate if they lack the support of the people.

Pointing to the process of vetting presidential election nominees which is carried out by the Guardian Council, he said that he wished there would be more nominees vetted to secure the competitive essence of the election.

The final list of the eligible nominees for the upcoming Presidential elections which was published by the Guardian Council yesterday caused some disappointment. Rouhani said he has corresponded on the issue with the Supreme Leader of Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

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