 Iran's election watchdog has approved the candidacy of hard-line Judiciary Chief Ibrahim Raisi in next month's presidential election, while disqualifying some of his main rivals, including former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The move is likely to boost the prospects of Raisi, a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But it may further dent the clerical ruler's hopes of a high turnout in the June 18 vote amid rising discordant over an economy crippled by U.S. sanctions.