Historic Low Turnout Marks Iran’s Parliamentary Election Following Protests and Boycotts
Iran is witnessing a historic moment as election officials count ballots from Friday’s parliamentary election, amid unofficial reports indicating the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic revolution. This crucial election comes as the first since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd in police custody, which ignited widespread protests in 2022.
The electoral landscape is marked by a significant boycott from reformists, reflecting prevailing sentiments of discontent amidst widespread economic hardship. Early results highlight conservative victories in Tehran, securing 30 seats in the parliament.
Friday saw the conduction of two separate polls – one to elect members of the parliament and another to elect the Assembly of Experts, responsible for selecting and overseeing Iran’s supreme leader, the country’s most powerful figure and commander-in-chief.
Iran grapples with the impact of international sanctions, an economic crisis, and episodes of violent unrest, contributing to the complexities surrounding this electoral process. Over 61.2 million Iranians were eligible to vote, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s appeal for participation faced a divided response among the population.
The backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic marked the 2020 parliamentary elections with a turnout of 42.57%, officially the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Early indicators from Friday’s election suggest a potential new record low, particularly in the capital, Tehran. A state-linked polling agency projects a 41% turnout for the parliamentary elections, potentially marking the lowest in the past 12 such votes.
As votes are manually tallied, results begin to surface. Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reports the counting progress for the Assembly of Experts in major cities. This assembly comprises 88 Islamic clerics with the responsibility to choose the next supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, currently 84, prompts attention as the new assembly is set to serve for eight years.
City councils have declared approximately 50 of the 290 parliamentary seats, with final results anticipated tomorrow. The absence of an official turnout figure raises concerns, with analysts speculating that a low turnout signifies public disenchantment with politics, despite calls from various officials urging voters to participate.
In a symbolic move, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cast his vote early, emphasizing the importance of swift participation, stating, “Vote as soon as possible, the eyes of Iran’s friends and ill-wishers are on the results.” The unfolding events in the coming days will define the political landscape in Iran and its impact on the region.