Iranians Voting In First Poll since 2022 Anti-Government Protests
Voting is underway in Iran as the country holds its first elections since the 2022 anti-government protests.
Friday’s elections are seen as a crucial test of legitimacy and national support for Iran’s leadership.
Voter apathy remains high following a period of unrest after the death of a young woman detained by morality police for wearing an “improper” hijab.
More than 61.2 million people are eligible to vote.
Two separate polls are taking place on Friday: one to elect the next members of parliament, and another to elect members of the assembly of experts.
The assembly selects and oversees Iran’s most powerful figure and commander-in-chief, the supreme leader – who makes key decisions on issues important to voters, such as social freedoms and economic conditions.
Read Also:
French Senate Okays Women’s Right to Abortion
In the upcoming parliamentary election, a record 15,200 candidates have been allowed by the Guardian Council to stand for the 290 seats.
However, only 30 candidates from the reformist camp who applied have been approved – a notably low number.
Conservatives have dominated the parliament since 2004 and are expected to be returned in similar numbers.
In previous parliamentary elections, the reformist faction always tried to find representatives close to them among the approved candidates.
They also consistently encouraged people to participate in elections.
Now, for the first time, they have stated that they cannot be part of an election that they consider meaningless, non-competitive, unfair, and ineffective in the administration of the country.
