Iran’s Parliamentary Elections: A Record Low Turnout Raises Questions of Legitimacy
In a surprising turn of events, Iran’s parliamentary elections concluded with a record low turnout of 40.6%. The polling stations saw a slow start, with only 27% of voters participating after 10 hours of voting. In the capital city of Tehran, the situation was even more disheartening, with a mere 12% turnout after eight hours. However, officials decided to extend the voting period by two hours, which led to a late surge in voting and ultimately pushed the total number of participants to 24,861,542.
The Iranian regime had placed great importance on boosting turnout above the historic low of 42.5% recorded in the previous parliamentary elections in 2020. They believed that a strong show of political engagement would dispel claims of their diminishing legitimacy and inability to address the economic and personal freedom needs of the Iranian people. However, despite their efforts, the turnout fell short of expectations.
Opposition groups and social media outlets critical of the regime shared images of seemingly empty polling stations, casting doubt on the official claims. The Guardian Council, responsible for vetting candidates, dismissed these concerns and insisted that there were no issues with the election process. They remained confident that the turnout would reach levels similar to those of 2020.
It is widely anticipated that hardliners will further solidify their hold on the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, an influential body responsible for appointing the next supreme leader. The disqualification of many reformist candidates has led to widespread disillusionment among voters who already believe that the country is controlled not by politicians but by security services and the military.
The reformist movement, once a prominent force in Iranian politics, has been steadily declining for years. Their reputation suffered during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani, whom they supported despite his lack of reformist credentials. Rouhani’s two terms were marked by an inability to bring about significant change, exacerbated by the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The upcoming days pose a challenge for the regime as they decide whether to publish accurate turnout results. If the figures reveal that only a third of the country voted, with two-thirds rejecting the regime by abstaining, it could further undermine their legitimacy. Concerns have been raised on social media regarding the inclusion of invalid votes in the turnout count. Government news agencies have already started deleting previously published turnout figures for specific provinces as the numbers failed to rise throughout the day.
In an attempt to quell the growing boycott movement, police officers in West Azerbaijan province announced the arrest of 50 individuals who were allegedly operating “virtual pages” to discourage participation in the elections. This move highlights the ongoing oppression that alienates millions of voters and fuels their disillusionment with the regime.
Adding to the atmosphere of oppression, the regime chose election day to announce the sentencing of Grammy winner Shervin Hajipour. Hajipour’s song “Baraye” became an anthem for the “women, life, freedom” protests in 2022 and was even played at Coldplay concerts. He has now been sentenced to nearly four years in prison and ordered to compose music critical of the United States. The charges against him include “propaganda against the establishment” and “encouraging public unrest.”
The record low turnout in Iran’s parliamentary elections raises significant questions about the regime’s legitimacy and its ability to address the concerns of its citizens. With hardliners expected to strengthen their grip on power, the hopes for meaningful political reform seem increasingly distant. As Iran navigates these challenging times, it remains to be seen how the regime will respond to the growing disillusionment among its people and whether they will take steps to restore faith in their governance.
