Lack of suspense in Iran as parliamentary elections approach

Iran entered a brief campaign period on Thursday for the legislative elections scheduled for March 1st, which are expected to strengthen the ruling conservatives, more than a year after the widespread protest movement that shook the country in late 2022.

With little suspense surrounding the current majority's hold on power, this election will be closely watched for the level of voter turnout among the 61 million eligible voters. 

Experts do not rule out the possibility that abstention may reach its highest level since the establishment of the Islamic Republic 45 years ago.

In the previous legislative elections in 2020, official figures showed that 42.57% of voters turned out at polling stations, often located in schools or mosques. 

Opponents in Iran and the diaspora have been calling for a boycott for weeks, portraying any participation as a compromise with the system.