The combined support of the four hardliners Qalibaf, former state broadcasting chief Ali Larijani, former Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaie, is just shy of Rafsanjani's backing, the poll showed. Newspapers speculated that Ahmadinejad and Rezaie were the most likely to drop out of the race. Kayhan quoted Larijani as saying there would be good news soon on a consensus candidate. Political analysts say the June 17 election is unlikely to be conclusive. To win outright a candidate must secure at least 50 percent of votes cast. Otherwise the top two candidates must face off in a second round held a week later.