A voting for a new parliament took place in Iran on Friday, which is considered as a key measure of support for Iran’s leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically.
The election is being held at a time of growing economic hardship.
The disqualification of some 9,000 potential candidates, most of them reformists and moderates, raised the possibility of lower-than-usual turnout.
The current parliament had more than 100 reformists and moderates. The rest of the chamber split between independents and hard-liners. 90 current lawmakers were also barred from running in Friday’s election.
Iran’s leadership and state media urged voter participation, with some framing it as a religious duty. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cast his ballot at a mosque near his Tehran office, shortly after polls opened and urged Iranians to the polls.
“Anyone who cares about ran’s national interests should participate in the election,” he said. Earlier in the week, Khamenei said high voter turnout will thwart “plots and plans” by Americans and supporters of Israel against Iran.
“Enemies want to see what the results of the U.S. maximum pressure are,” he said, referring to U.S. sanctions and pressure from Washington that have strangled Iran’s ability to sell its oil abroad, forcing its economy into recession.
Nearly 58 million Iranians, out of a population of more than 80 million, are eligible to vote. Every Iranian above the age of 18 can vote.
Initial results are expected to be announced on Saturday. Presidential elections are expected to take place in 2021.
