Iranians headed to polls on Friday to choose a new parliament, but the outcome isn’t expected to change foreign policy or ease tensions with the West over the nation’s nuclear program.
These elections are seen as a test of the religious establishment’s popularity in Iran, following protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody a year and a half ago.
According to the semi-official news agency in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guard, polling stations opened Friday morning for the twelfth parliamentary elections, alongside the selection of the Assembly of Experts, which oversees Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling voting a “religious duty,” was among the first to cast their ballot. Government officials echoed his message, urging Iranians to vote.
“Vote as soon as possible... Make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies,” said Khamenei.
On his part, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i remarked: “Voting brings joy to people and sadness to the enemy.”
Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Aref, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, thanked God for making enemies “foolish.”
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi voted at the Interior Ministry’s polling station, calling the elections a “national celebration” symbolizing “unity and solidarity.”
“In our elections, both candidates and voters act out of duty,” said Raisi.
Esmail Qaani, who commands the Revolutionary Guard’s foreign arm, affirmed that enthusiastic participation ensures security, likening it to “fighting a battle against enemies trying to weaken morale.”
Turnout in the 2022 parliamentary elections dropped to 42.5%, a significant decline from around 62% in 2016.
Over 15,000 candidates are vying for the 290 parliamentary seats, with the term set to begin in April for four years.
It goes without saying that it is difficult to confirm the actual voter turnout without independent monitoring. Media relies on official Iranian sources for information.
Polling stations were supposed to close at 6 p.m. local time on Friday (15:00 GMT), but authorities extended the voting time, which could suggest lower turnout.
