Parliament, Assembly of Experts elections kicks off in Iran; initial results expected tomorrow
TEHRAN, March 01 (SABAH): The parliamentary elections and the election for the Assembly of Experts started in Iran on Friday. The initial results of the elections are expected tomorrow (Saturday).
A total of 61,172,298 individuals are eligible to vote in the elections, 30,945,133 of whom are men and the rest 30,227,165 are women, according to an announcement by the country’s election headquarters.
About 15,000 candidates will compete in the 12th parliamentary elections, 12% of whom are women and 88% are men. Additionally, 144 individuals have been qualified to compete in the elections of the Assembly of Experts.
Voters will elect 290 representatives for Majlis (the Iranian Parliament) and 88 representatives for the Assembly of Experts.
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, emphasized that “from all sides, eyes are focused on the issues of our country and our dear nation.”
“Our dear people should know that the eyes of people around the world, both ordinary citizens and political figures, are on Iran today,” he stated on Friday after casting his vote in the 12th parliamentary elections and the 6th Assembly of Experts elections.
“They want to see what choices you make in these elections and what the outcome will be.”
Ayatollah Khamenei cast his vote early this morning during the first minutes of the elections. Urging people to cast their votes as soon as possible, he prayed to Almighty God to make today a blessed day for the Iranian nation.
Meanwhile the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi went to a voting station in downtown Tehran on Friday to cast his vote for the 12th parliamentary elections and the 6th Assembly of Experts elections.
He told reporters that the elections are a national celebration and a symbol of national unity.
Ebrahim Raisi hailed the presence of all political groups which he said have come with their candidates to make a glorious day for the Iranian nation.