Iran’s Parliamentary Elections Overwhelmed by Hard-liners Amidst Boycott and Low Voter Participation – Sky Bulletin
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In the recent parliamentary elections in Iran, hard-line politicians secured a significant victory, as the final results indicated their continued dominance in the nation’s legislature. This election was marked by appeals to boycott and signs of an considerably low turnout, details of which are yet to be fully disclosed by the authorities.
Despite the observation of sparse attendance at voting booths in Tehran, officials have refrained from providing official turnout figures for the election that occurred on Friday, nor have they offered explanations for the withholding of this information. The low turnout may reflect voter indifference or a deliberate message to Iran’s theocratic leadership. Certain individuals, including jailed Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi, actively encouraged a boycott. Additionally, these elections were the first following the widespread 2022 demonstrations triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for allegedly improperly wearing her hijab.
The electoral process determined 245 of the 290 parliamentary seats in its initial phase; Interior Ministry spokesman Mohsen Eslami clarified. A second round of voting will be necessary to fill the remaining 45 seats, due to none of the candidates achieving the required 20% of votes. These runoffs are expected in April or May.
According to an analysis by the Associated Press, out of the 245 successful candidates, an estimated 200 were endorsed by hard-line parties. Approximately 45 newly-elected members are perceived to be moderate, conservative, or independent. In comparison, the current parliament comprises 18 pro-reform members and 38 independents.
Interestingly, only 11 women have won seats, a slight reduction from the incumbent parliament which includes 16 female members. Additionally, candidates aspiring to change the governmental status quo, identified as reformists, were largely precluded from contesting in the elections. Those advocating significant changes either faced disqualification or opted not to register.
The phenomenon of a candidate not securing 20% of votes might be attributed to a large number of spoiled ballots or a saturated field of contestants. Iran’s 2021 presidential election also witnessed a significant amount of voided votes. This might suggest that while some voters felt compelled to partake in the electoral process, they were reluctant to support the candidates sanctioned by the government.
Although the counting process—executed manually—was concluded by Monday, officials have not commented on their silence regarding voter participation. Nonetheless, the electronic registration of each voter does provide immediate access to turnout data.
The government now faces intensified scrutiny, as the legitimacy of Iran’s ruling theocracy has historically been tied to electoral participation since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. According to the Soufan Center, a think tank based in New York, the recent elections demonstrate that Iranian policies are unlikely to change soon. However, the elections also showed widespread public dissatisfaction with Iran’s direction.
Additionally, Iranians cast their votes for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, which bears the responsibility of selecting the nation’s eventual supreme leader. Despite exclusion from these elections was former President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate essential to the 2015 nuclear agreement with global powers. Ebrahim Raisi, a protege of current Supreme Leader Khamenei, retained his seat, as did Mojtaba Khamenei, who, despite not holding an official government role, is often mentioned as a potential successor to his father.
The recent parliamentary elections in Iran indicate a prevailing influence of hard-line figures within the legislative body, a scenario that mirrors the overall political landscape in the country. The lack of official voter turnout data, calls for a boycott, and the prevailing sentiment of public dissatisfaction underscore the complexities and challenges facing Iran’s political structure. As the broader implications for Iran’s domestic and international policies remain to be fully understood, the resilience of voter sentiment and the desires for reform continue to echo throughout Iranian society.
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