Iran braces for record-low election turnout 

Iran is scrambling to boost turnout ahead of legislative elections, amid widespread discontent over an ailing economy, growing political distrust and a quashed protest movement 

ELECTION TURNOUT (Since 1980, percentage)
  
100
80
60
40
20

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 24

Mar 1, 2024: Elections to parliament and Assembly of Experts*. First polls since 2022 crackdown on protests that followed death of Mahsa Amini (left) in police custody

*Body elected every eight years, in charge of appointing supreme leader

2020, 2021: Mass disqualification of moderate and reformist candidates believed to have contributed to poor turnouts

Presidential elections
Parliamentary elections
Assembly of Experts

1990 37%
2009 85%
2017 73%
2016: 62%
2021 49%
2020 43%
 

1980-81: Three presidential elections held due to impeachment of Abolhassan Banisadr and killing of Mohammad Ali Rajai
2005: Presidential election goes to second round


Picture: Getty Images

Sources: Iranian state media, USIP, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty © GRAPHIC NEWS