DUBAI: Hardliners loyal to Iran’s supreme leader are likely to sweep a parliamentary election yesterday that will cement their grip on power as the country faces mounting US pressure over its nuclear programme and growing discontent at home.
The vote will have no major influence on foreign affairs or Iran’s nuclear policy, which is determined by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But it might bolster hardliners in the 2021 contest for president and toughen Tehran’s foreign policy.
State television said voting was extended by two hours because of a “rush of voters”. In mid-afternoon, an Interior Ministry official said that about 11 million of 58m eligible voters had cast their ballots for candidates in the 290-member parliament.
Iranian authorities earlier forecast a turnout of about 50 per cent, compared to 62pc and 66pc respectively in the 2016 and 2012 votes.
Disgruntlement among many women and the young – who comprise a majority of voters – over high unemployment, soaring inflation and restrictions on personal freedoms in the Islamic republic looked likely to depress the turnout.
Big gains by anti-Western security hawks loyal to Khamenei were in the offing after the mass disqualification of moderate and leading conservative figures by a hardline watchdog body, the Guardian Council.
A victory by acolytes of Khamenei in the election, seen as a referendum on the popularity of clerical rulers, could weaken pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani, who won the last two elections on promises to open Iran to the outside world. The US’ 2018 withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers and sanctions have hit Iran’s economy hard.