Iran Votes In First Elections Since Unrest
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Voting was underway Friday in Iran’s first elections since the 2022 anti-government protests threatened its Islamic leadership.
Iranians headed to the polls to select the members of the country’s 290-seat legislature amid mounting economic hardship and reports of persecution of minority Christians, including former Muslims.
While anti-establishment candidates were not expected to win many seats, a low voter turnout could indicate extensive discontent, analysts said.
Iranians also cast ballots to choose members of the Assembly of Experts, a key body tasked with selecting the supreme leader of the strict Islamic nation.
The 88-member body is exclusively made up of Islamic scholars.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called voting a religious duty, was the first to cast his vote in Iran. “Vote as soon as possible … today, the eyes of Iran’s friends and ill-wishers are on the results. Make friends happy and disappoint enemies,” Khamenei added on state television.
Yet voter apathy remains high after a period of massive unrest following the death of a young woman detained by morality police for wearing an “improper” hijab.
OPINION TEST
The election is also the first test of public opinion since the anti-government protests in 2022-23 spiraled into some of the worst political turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s rulers need a high turnout to repair their legitimacy, badly damaged by the protests in which at least hundreds were killed and thousands detained, commentators said.
More than 61.2 million people are eligible to vote, but official surveys suggested that only 41 percent of eligible Iranians would vote.
Turnout hit a record low of 42.5 percent in the 2020 parliamentary election, while about 62 percent of voters participated in 2016.
It was not immediately clear what impact the elections would have on minority Christians who hope blasphemy legislation will be changed in Iran.
So far, “Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal in Iran, and anyone caught as a convert can be arrested and imprisoned,” said advocacy group Open Doors.
“The authorities view conversion as an attempt by the West to undermine Islam and the Islamic government of Iran. This means that anyone who is discovered to be a member of a house church can be charged with a crime against national security, which can lead to long prison sentences,” the group added.
OVER MILLION CHRISTIANS
Despite the reported crackdown, there are believed to be about 1.2 million Christians in a population of almost 87 million, according to Open Doors research, though the actual figure could be higher.
Open Doors currently ranks Iran 9th on its annual World Watch List of 50 nations where it says Christians face the most persecution.
“Anyone arrested or detained can be tortured and abused while in jail. Some Christians are released and monitored – and know a second arrest would mean a long prison sentence,” Open Doors explained.
Iran has come under Western criticism over its reported religious and political rights abuses, charges Tehran denies.
The vote was also expected to be closely watched in Israel.
Iran’s current rulers openly sought the destruction of the Jewish nation and supports several anti-Israel militias in the region preparing attacks.
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