Iran’s Parliamentary Election Turnout Lags

Political observers in Iran are estimating that turnout for Friday’s parliamentary elections may break the country’s 2004 record low of 51 percent. The government’s ruling religious conservative faction is accused of barring many opposition reformist candidates and depressing electoral participation.

The Guardian

Iranians have been voting today [Friday] in parliamentary elections, although few believe their vote will have much effect on how the country is ruled.

After a very slow start, turnout picked up as voters returned from Friday prayers, but there were far more people out shopping for the imminent Norouz (Persian new year) holiday than voting. Queues at the polling stations were a rare sight.

Political observers suggested the turnout could climb above the low point of 51% set at the last parliamentary elections, in 2004, but not by much.

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AP photo / Hasan Sarbakhshian

Iranian Jewish candidate David Masoud double-checks his ballot at a synagogue in Tehran on Friday.