Hawzah News Agency - The candidates are set to outline their plans for the post. They will be given an equal time to garner as many votes as possible in order to win the ticket to the office.

The first debate is scheduled to last for three hours.

The live broadcast aims to reduce the candidates’ campaign spending and pave the way for eligible voters to make their choice based on the sharp-cut and unambiguous plans represented during the program.

The six candidates running for the presidential election are Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, Mostafa Hashemi-Taba, Es’haq Jahangiri, Hassan Rouhani, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi.

Upon entering the headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting in the capital, Tehran, Rouhani was asked if he was ready, to which he responded, "We're probably all ready that we have come [here]." 

Meanwhile, Mehr news agency is reporting that the debate has been put off half an hour to 16:30 local time (1200 GMT) upon the request of Rouhani's camp.

Morteza Heidari, the renowned Iranian television news host and presenter who is due to moderate the debate, also says that he is prepared for the task and everything has been rehearsed. 

There will be three live televised debates in total. Today's debate will focus on social issues while the next two will revolve around economic and political matters.  

The candidates have drawn lots to determine their seating arrangement for the debate. Every effort seems to have been made not to leave any room for accusations of partiality.  

According to schedule, Fars News Agency reports, the candidates can hold a meeting of 15 minutes with the aides and advisors after 90 minutes of debate.

Iranians will go to the polls on May 19 to elect the country’s next president.