(Reuters) – Unofficial reports on Saturday estimated turnout in Iran’s parliamentary election, seen as a test of the clerical establishment’s legitimacy, at about 40%, which would be the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
According to reports, heavyweight moderates and conservatives chose to stay out of the election, leaving the contest primarily between hardliners and low-key conservatives who uphold Islamic revolutionary ideals. Reformists criticized the election, labeling it as unfree and unfair.
The official turnout is expected to be announced by the interior ministry later on Saturday. Tehran’s leaders were hoping for a high turnout to restore their legitimacy, which had been significantly eroded by anti-government protests in 2022-23.
However, official surveys indicated that only around 41% of eligible Iranians were likely to vote. This was seemingly confirmed by the Hamshahri newspaper, which reported that over 25 million people, or 41% of eligible voters, had participated in the election.
In the 2020 parliamentary elections, Iran saw a record low turnout of 42.5%, while in 2016, approximately 62% of eligible voters took part. Hamshahri described the turnout for this election as “a 25-million slap” to those calling for a boycott, with a front-page headline featuring a depiction of a ballot paper hitting U.S. President Joe Biden.
The election took place amidst increasing frustration over Iran’s economic challenges and constraints on political and social liberties. It was also paired with a vote for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, a significant body responsible for selecting the successor to the 84-year-old Khamenei.
([email protected]; Editing by William Mallard)
