Iran recently conducted parliamentary elections, with efforts made by officials to boost voter turnout through social media campaigns and offering roses at polling stations. However, many individuals chose to abstain from voting as a form of protest against the government, as reported by witnesses, interviews, and news sources.
In Tehran, the voter turnout was approximately 11%, according to hard-line parliamentary candidate Ali Akbar Raefipour, while the countrywide turnout was around 40%, as stated by IRNA, the official Iranian news agency. Even with extended polling hours, turnout remained low.
General Mohammad Ghalibaf, the current Parliament speaker running for re-election, urged people on social media to encourage others to vote, emphasizing the importance of increased participation.
Many Iranians, dissatisfied with the economy and government policies, viewed the elections as an opportunity for change beyond the existing political factions. Calls for boycotting the election gained momentum, with activists like Narges Mohammadi labeling it a moral obligation.
Protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini saw demands for an end to clerical rule in Iran. Many citizens, like Marziyeh from Ahvaz, expressed disillusionment with the system and chose not to vote out of fear of repercussions.
Former President Mohammad Khatami refrained from voting, marking a significant break from his past participation. The Reformist Front criticized the elections as meaningless and noncompetitive.
While previous elections in Iran were competitive with over 50% turnout, the recent election saw a decline in participation. State media tried to portray a different narrative with selective coverage of polling stations.
President Ebrahim Raisi hailed the election as a symbol of national unity, despite the low voter turnout.
Hatef Salehi, an analyst, emphasized the importance of gradual reform through voting. However, residents across various cities reported empty polling stations, indicating widespread apathy towards the election.
A university student in Tehran highlighted the lack of trust in the system as a reason for not voting. A separate election for the Assembly of Experts, responsible for selecting the next supreme leader, was also held concurrently.
Innovative methods like distributing roses and organizing concerts were used to attract voters in Tehran. State media highlighted provinces with higher turnout, mostly smaller regions.
The conservative faction is expected to dominate the Parliament due to disqualifications of rival candidates. Official results are awaited, with announcements expected in the coming days.
Despite the absence of reformist candidates, some members showed up to vote, creating a split among the reformist factions. Prominent figures like Behzad Nabavi and Mohammad Reza Aref participated in the election.
The Neday-e-Iranian party supported centrist candidates, aiming to secure seats in the Parliament. Historically, boycotting elections has not yielded results, according to party spokesman Saeid Nourmohammadi.
Many Iranians, like engineer Mahdiyeh, expressed disillusionment with past candidates and opted not to vote in the recent election due to a lack of suitable representatives.
