Iran Elections: Alborz Province Records Lowest Turnout

Alborz province has recorded the lowest turnout with 28.4 per cent for both the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts elections held last week in Iran. 

It was followed by Kurdistan province with 30.54 per cent and Tehran with 34 per cent. 

Only eight provinces crossed the 50 per cent mark in turnout, with Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad leading at 64.27 per cent.

The delay in announcing Tehran's final results has sparked speculation about a higher-than-usual number of spoilt ballots. Spoilt votes refer to ballots marked with scribbles or names other than the candidates. 

This concern is further amplified by comments from prominent reformist Saeed Shariati, who noted the surge in invalid votes in the capital.

Verifying the accuracy of these figures remains challenging due to media censorship and the absence of independent observers, mirroring the situation in past Iranian elections.

Most of Iran's disgruntled and disenchanted voters skipped the March 1 elections for parliament and the Assembly of Experts. 

They see the process as a false display of democracy meant to validate a government that has not improved their living conditions or personal freedoms.

Elections for Iran’s 290 parliamentary representatives occur every four years while elections for the Assembly of Experts, which appoints 88 representatives, are held every eight years.