Iranian Hard-Liners Dominate Low-Turnout Parliamentary Elections

Two women without wearing their mandatory Islamic headscarves walk through the Imam mosque in old main bazaar of Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 2, 2024. A day after parliamentary election concluded in

Results released on Monday revealed that Iranian hard-line politicians have maintained their stronghold on the country's parliament following the recent elections. The vote, which saw a record-low turnout, had only 41% of eligible voters participating, with 25 million ballots cast. This turnout marked a slight decrease from the previous parliamentary election in 2020.

The Interior Ministry, responsible for overseeing Iranian elections, announced the turnout figures after a delay, with no substantial international observation present. Authorities extended polling hours in an attempt to boost participation, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf urging citizens to vote.

Hard-line candidates dominate with 200 seats, limited diversity.

Low voter turnout at 41%, 25 million ballots cast.

Only 11 female legislators elected out of 245 seats.

Calls for boycott and criticism of election process.

Reformist politicians barred from running, runoff elections expected.

Analysts suggest public dissatisfaction with current regime.

The low turnout raised questions about whether voter apathy or a deliberate message to the theocracy influenced the results. Calls for a boycott, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, added pressure on the government. Reformist politicians advocating for change were barred from running, limiting the diversity of candidates.

Of the 290 parliamentary races, 245 seats were decided in the first round, while the remaining 45 will go to runoff elections. Hard-line candidates dominated the election, with 200 of the 245 elected politicians backed by conservative groups. Only a small number of relatively moderate, conservative, or independent candidates secured seats.

Women representation remained low, with only 11 female legislators elected out of 245 seats. The failure of some candidates to reach the required 20% threshold may lead to runoff elections in the coming months.

Despite claims of a competitive and healthy election process, analysts suggest that the results reflect public dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of the Islamic Republic. The U.S. government's criticism of the elections was dismissed by Iranian officials, who highlighted flaws in the American electoral system.

In addition to parliamentary elections, Iranians also voted for members of the Assembly of Experts, who will play a crucial role in appointing the next supreme leader. Former President Hassan Rouhani, a key figure in Iran's nuclear deal negotiations, was barred from the race. Potential successors to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including Ebrahim Raisi and Mojtaba Khamenei, secured seats in the assembly.