Iranians vote in parliamentary elections amid low turnout
Turnout Figures Raise Concerns
Iranians voted for a new parliament on Friday with turnout figures causing concern. After 10 hours, the turnout was only 27%, and after eight hours in Tehran, it was a mere 12%. In response, officials extended polling hours until 10pm in a bid to raise the turnout. The government hopes for a strong show of political engagement as a lack of participation might suggest a rejection of the regime. It believes a high turnout will ward off claims of a lack of legitimacy and show the ability to deliver on the Iranian people’s expectations for progress and freedom.
Regime Faces Criticism
The Iranian regime has placed a great emphasis on boosting turnout in order to surpass the historic low turnout figures from the 2020 parliamentary elections. Critics argue that the regime’s focus on increasing turnout is an attempt to maintain legitimacy amid rising doubts about its ability to meet the people’s economic and personal freedom needs. The reformist movement, already in decline, suffered further damage from the previous Prime Minister, Hassan Rouhani, who failed to deliver the promised change during his two terms. The impact of the Covid outbreak during his tenure further eroded public trust.
Expectations of Hardliner Dominance
It is widely expected that the hardliners will tighten their grip on the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, who will be tasked with appointing the next supreme leader. The disqualification of many reformist candidates has led to allegations that the election is a mere sham, reinforcing the belief among voters that the country is primarily controlled by branches of the security services and the army.
Low Turnout in Challenged Provinces
Tehran and Balochistan provinces are expected to face the lowest turnout due to various factors. Tehran, the capital, typically records lower participation rates in elections, while Balochistan has been recently affected by floods, making it difficult for people to cast their votes.
Continued Opposition to the Regime
Internal phone surveys conducted 24 hours prior to the elections show that about three-quarters of the population had no intention of voting due to their opposition to the Islamic Republic or their distrust in the fairness of the process. Among those surveyed, only 16% were definitely planning to vote. The boycott movement, aimed at showing rejection of the regime, has gained momentum.
Concerns Over Turnout Reporting
Observers are keen to see whether the regime will publish accurate turnout results. If the figures show a significantly low participation rate, it would highlight a large portion of the population rejecting the regime. Social media platforms raised concerns that the regime might count invalid votes to manipulate turnout figures. Throughout the day, official government news agencies started removing previously published turnout figures for specific provinces as the figures remained stagnant.
Oppression Continues
As voters show signs of alienation, the regime continued its oppression. On election day, it announced the sentencing of a popular musician, Shervin Hajipour, to nearly four years in prison. Hajipour’s music had become an anthem for protests advocating for women’s rights and freedom. The sentence highlights the regime’s ongoing efforts to suppress dissent in the country.
Conclusion
The parliamentary elections in Iran have been marked by concerns over low turnout and criticism of the regime’s efforts to maintain its legitimacy. With the hardliners expected to tighten their grip on power, the reformist movement faces further setbacks. As the opposition boycott movement gains traction, the regime faces increasing challenges to its authority. Continued oppression and sentencing of dissenters further aggravate the situation, reinforcing the divide between the regime and the disillusioned Iranian population.
