Iran held its first parliamentary election since 2022 protests over mandatory hijab laws, drawing a predicted low turnout amid calls for a boycott. The state-estimated turnout was 38.5% nationally with a 2% margin of error and 23.5% in Tehran. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei linked turnout to taking a stand against Iran’s enemies, while Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi urged a boycott. Only 116 out of 15,000 candidates were considered moderate or pro-reform candidates. Iran’s economy continues to struggle under Western sanctions, and the country faces pressure over its nuclear program and involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Some voters expressed their concerns about the challenges facing Iran, with one voter, Sajjad, highlighting the many problems in the country. The government, which relies on turnout for legitimacy, faced renewed pressure due to the boycott calls. A heavy security presence was visible in Tehran, with 200,000 security forces deployed and over 59,000 polling stations open.
Parliament terms run for four years, with five seats reserved for religious minorities. The parliament oversees the executive branch and handles other issues, but absolute power in Iran rests with the supreme leader. Hard-liners have dominated the parliament for the past two decades. In one polling place, a young woman without a hijab entered with her mother, who wore one, with no comment from officials or police present.
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