High voter turnout among Iranian expatriates
Tehran TimesJun 18, 2021
Iran Holds Parliamentary Election
The Facts
Iran held its elections for 290 members of parliament as well as 88 members of the Assembly of Experts, who are tasked with selecting the Islamic Republic's supreme leader.
The names of candidates were announced two weeks before the election, with campaigns beginning 10 days before. Candidates, of which there were 15.2K this year running for Parliament, must be approved by the Guardian Council to run. Most came from conservative parties.
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
Not only have Iranians at home come out to participate in their country's democratic systems, but a high number cast their ballots from abroad. Despite Western efforts to encourage citizens to stay home, the Iranian people believe in their country and are willing to do what it takes to vote — even from consulates and embassies in foreign countries.
Anti-Iran narrative
Iran's election integrity issues are on full display. First, Supreme Leader Khamenei cast his vote early in the day so that everyone else knows who to vote for. The country also rolled back its ID requirements, leaving ample opportunity for fraudsters to cast multiple ballots. And, if that wasn't enough, the regime printed millions of unnecessary extra ballots, which will also give it the ability to ensure the success of its preferred candidates.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Iran will cease to be an Islamic Republic by January 2039, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
