According to unofficial data, the turnout in the parliamentary elections in Iran, which took place on Saturday, March 2, is approximately 40%. This could be the lowest rate since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Official results may be announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs later.
Iran's ruling elite needed a high voter turnout to restore its legitimacy, which was severely damaged by anti-government protests in 2022-2023.
However, official polls show that only about 41% of Iranians participated in the elections.
We will remind that in September 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being arrested and beaten by the forces of the so-called moral police in Tehran for "wearing the hijab incorrectly". This provoked mass protests that covered many cities of the country. Last September, Iranian authorities detained the girl's father. At the same time, at least 18 activists were arrested in cities across Iran as authorities banned any events ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death.
