The election of the presiding board of Iran's 9th Majlis (parliament) was held today as the incumbent Speaker Ali Larijani was re-elected by winning 173 votes out of total 275.

According to Khabar Online's Majlis correspondent, the election was conducted a day after the legislative body with almost new line up was inaugurated. Headed by Ali Reza Marandi, the poll was concluded as Larijani's only rival Gholam Ali Haddad Adel could gain 100 votes.
The winners at this round of internal parliamentary voting are titled "temporary" until all new lawmakers receive their certificates of election. However based on a tradition, the temporary speaker has gone on to become the permanent one.
Furthermore, the new lawmakers elected Mohammad Reza Bahonar and Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard respectively as the first and second vice-speakers.
Larijani was the candidate of the parliamentary group, Rule of Shiite Jurisprudence Wayfarers (Rahrovan Velayat), and Haddad Adel was nominated by the Society of Wayfarers of the Islamic Revolution's Path (Rahpouyan) and the Resistance Front of the Islamic Revolution (Jebhe-ye Paidari) parliamentary groups.
The Resistance Front of the Islamic Revolution is a faction comprised of ex-ministers and supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
During last years Larijani has led the lawmakers' criticisms against the problems caused by the government of Ahmadinejad, but Hadad Adel has shown a more moderate attitude toward the incumbent president.
 
Earlier in 2008, Haddad Adel competed with Larijani for the post of Majlis Speaker, but he could simply win 51 votes compared to 160 won by his rival. Larijani headed the 8th Majlis during the past four years.
Permanent presiding board of Majlis (properly: Islamic Consultative Assembly) will be elected later.
 
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