Principlists Expected to Win Big in Iran Polls

Date: 09 February 2020 - 22:28

News ID: ۷۶۰۰۰

TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Less than two weeks before the parliamentary elections in Iran, no one in Iran’s political circles seems to have any doubt about a landslide victory by principlists.
From President Hassan Rouhani to political pundits on both ends of the political spectrum and leading members of Iran’s reform camp have pointed out the high likelihood of a principlist victory.
Various groups of principlists have released lists and posters of their candidates in preparation for official campaigning which has yet to start.
Iran’s principlists have been trying to unite since September.
Iranians are going to the polls in the parliamentary elections on February 21, with many eligible voters saying the polls have a tremendous impact on their lives.
The legislative elections are a great opportunity for people to become politically engaged and make their voices heard in their country, they say.
This comes as some Western media and enemies of Iran have always tried to create the impression that elections in Iran are a sham, and are not free and fair.
Voters, however, say the election of parliament representatives has a tremendous impact on their lives, and for the broader community. They say despite sanctions and threats by the United States, they will vote to express their priorities and issues that impact their lives.
According to the Interior Ministry, more than 91 percent of the hopefuls have been approved by the Guardian Council, which had received the records and credentials of more than 15,000 nominees. Given the number of the disqualifications, there is one seat available at the parliament for every 17 competing candidates.
Over 58 million people are eligible to vote in the upcoming democratic race. Of that figure, almost 3 million will be first-time voters. The eleventh parliamentary elections are slated for February 21.