Iran will hold its next presidential election on May 19, 2017. The Guardian Council said in a letter to the Interior Ministry that it had agreed on a date of May 19 proposed by the ministry, the ministry confirmed late Wednesday.

“The 29th of Ordibehesht of 1396 (May 19, 2017) has been announced as the definite date for the 12the presidential and fifth city and village council elections to the Interior Ministry by the Guardian Council,” Salman Samani told IRNA.

Iranian officials have said that the election would be held earlier than usual so as not to coincide with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan which starts in late May.

/ Tehran times/