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All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.
All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.

Live Blog: Iran's Final Presidential Debate

* The six candidates approved for Iran's strictly vetted presidential ballot are appearing for the last of three live televised debates before the May 19 election. The topic is economics.

* Iranian President Hassan Rohani is seeking a second four-year term. His main challenges from the conservative side are expected to come from cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. (Read profiles of the candidates.)

* The official campaign period ends on May 17, two days before voting in the first round of a possible two-round election. If no candidate gets more than half of the vote, the second round would be held on May 26.

* Official media put the number of eligible voters at around 55 million.

* In the first debate, the candidates clashed over Rohani's record on job creation. In the second debate, Rohani's conservative rivals accused him of having failed to "cash the check" from the 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Tehran (GMT +4 1/2)

15:01 28.4.2017

Rohani says the government has completed the Mehr housing project despite all its flaws. The project started under former President Ahmadinejad. Rohani also said that young couples receive housing loans.

14:57 28.4.2017

Update: Hashemitaba was not checking his cellphone. The moderator said phones are not connected to outside networks. They're apparently used for sound checks.

14:54 28.4.2017

Next question is about housing particularly for the youth.

14:50 28.4.2017

Raisi says many of Iran's young people are facing unemployment. He says many Iranians are suffering from poverty. That needs to change, he says. He has pledged to create jobs, if elected.

14:46 28.4.2017

Qalibaf says the gap between the rich and the poor has widened.

14:44 28.4.2017

Rohani says there should be a balance between Iran's West and East. He also lists some of the achievements of his government, including gas pipelines to Zahedan.

14:38 28.4.2017

Raisi says inequalities should be addressed.

14:37 28.4.2017

Some Iranians on social media are suggesting that the first debate is so far boring.

14:35 28.4.2017

Meanwhile social media users are making fun of Hashemitaba for appearing to check his cellphone in the middle of the debate.

14:33 28.4.2017

Raisi is now asked about ways to achieve social justice in Iran. He says social justice is one of the aims of the Iranian establishment.

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