IRGC urges high turnout in Friday’s polls

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) called on the Iranian nation to take part in Friday’s parliamentary elections in massive numbers, saying a powerful parliament can resolve economic problems and stand up against enemies.

According to Tasnim news agency, in a statement released on Thursday, the IRGC described elections as the manifestation of the national will and religious democracy, saying that over the past four decades the Iranian nation has demonstrated to the world the dignity, grandeur and power of the Islamic country via their smart presence and their insightful votes.

It added that a high turnout in tomorrow’s elections will give the “terrorist and criminal US” another slap in the face and dash the hopes of the enemies.

It will also promote the status and secure the achievements of the Islamic Establishment, the statement said.

Iranians have started casting their votes in Iran's 11th parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections.

Polling stations across the country opened at 8:00 a.m. local time (04:30 GMT) on Friday.

Images shared on social media showed long lines of people standing in front of polling stations shortly before the voting began. 

Campaigns officially started Thursday Feb. 13 last week and the candidates had one week to win the people’s support for their candidacy.

The voting on Friday comes after a 24-hour silence period in which candidates were prohibited from campaign activities.

More than 7,000 candidates are competing to enter the parliament. A winning candidate must have at least 20 percent of the votes cast in their constituency in order to become lawmaker for a four-year term.

A total of 57,918,000 people are eligible to cast their ballots. There would be one lawmaker at Majlis per each 190,000-strong segment of the Iranian population.

ME