Tehran: Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf retained his position as Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura) for the sixth consecutive year after winning the parliamentary presiding board elections for the second term of the 12th Majlis.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the parliamentary presiding board elections were included on the agenda of the 101st Majlis session. Competing for the position of Speaker was between Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Ahmad Rastineh, a representative of Shahr-e Kord, who officially announced their candidacies for this term.

At the end of the voting, Qalibaf received 219 votes out of 272 cast, while his competitor, Ahmad Rastineh, received 38 votes. There were 15 invalid ballots. It is worth noting that the Majlis Presiding Board consists of 12 seats, including the Speaker, two Vice-Speakers, six secretaries, and three observers.