In the recent runoff election for Iran’s parliament, following a dominant showing by hard-line politicians in March, Iranians cast their votes amid notable restrictions and dynamics shaping the political landscape. The runoff, held to fill the remaining parliamentary seats, saw 22 constituencies participate in selecting 45 representatives from a pool of 90 candidates, with 15 being labeled as moderate.
In Tehran, the capital, where 16 representatives were to be chosen from 32 candidates, all contenders leaned towards the hard-line spectrum. While final results are anticipated on Monday, initial counts from smaller districts may be available sooner.
Iran’s parliamentary body, while significant, holds a secondary role in governance, as the ultimate authority rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who wields decisive power over pivotal state affairs. State television depicted Khamenei casting his vote promptly after polls opened, emphasizing the importance of voter participation in the runoff, equating it with the significance of the primary election.
During the March election, hard-line factions secured a substantial majority, claiming 200 out of 245 seats, while the remaining 45 seats were secured by more moderate candidates. The voter turnout, totaling 25 million ballots, hovered just under 41 percent, marking a slight decline compared to previous elections, with the lowest turnout recorded in 2020 at 42 percent.
Notably, politicians advocating for governmental reforms, broadly categorized as reformists, encountered significant barriers, often being barred from participating in the electoral process. Similarly, voices advocating for radical changes or the dissolution of Iran’s theocratic framework either faced disqualification or chose not to pursue candidacy.
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