BY ISHMAEL CHIMWAZA
On the final day of election campaigning in Tehran, Iran, Iranian men were seen putting up campaign posters on a wall ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2024.
Despite the election day arriving, there is a sense of growing discontent among Iranians due to economic challenges and frustration over the restrictions imposed by the hardline clerical rulers on political and social freedoms. These factors are likely to deter many individuals from participating in the voting process.
State TV reported that polling stations welcomed voters at 8 a.m. local time, with the voting period set for 10 hours, potentially extendable. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasizing the religious importance of voting, was among the first to cast his vote.
The election holds significance as it serves as a formal gauge of public sentiment following the intense anti-government demonstrations in 2022-23, marking a period of considerable political unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, with prominent moderates and conservatives abstaining from the election and reformists criticizing it as unfair, the competition primarily revolves around hardliners and conservatives upholding revolutionary Islamic ideals, potentially impacting voter turnout significantly.
Official projections indicate a modest turnout, with approximately 41% of Iranians expected to vote. Some citizens, like 22-year-old university student Mehran in Isfahan, opt not to participate, expressing a desire for regime change and criticizing the current governmental system. In contrast, others like 26-year-old Tehran housewife Zahra view voting as a duty to demonstrate support for Khamenei and the existing leadership.
The parliamentary election features a wide array of candidates, totaling 15,200 individuals vying for the 290-seat parliament. This legislative body holds limited influence over Iran's foreign policy and nuclear negotiations, as these decisions are primarily overseen by Khamenei.
Amidst lingering grievances over past state crackdowns and economic hardships exacerbated by factors such as U.S. sanctions and corruption, there is a notable sense of disillusionment among Iranians regarding the ruling clerics' ability to address pressing issues. Consequently, while traditional supporters may back hardline candidates, widespread dissatisfaction could lead to decreased voter turnout.
Activists and opposition groups are actively using social media platforms to promote the hashtags #VOTENoVote, aiming to delegitimize the election process and shed light on the need for fundamental change within the Islamic Republic.
Furthermore, alongside the parliamentary election, voters are also participating in choosing members for the influential Assembly of Experts, a pivotal committee tasked with nominating the successor to the aging Ayatollah Khamenei.
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