Polling stations opened across Iran on Friday for the parliamentary elections, marking the first major electoral event since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini while in custody. The elections, which also include voting for the Assembly of Leadership Experts, commenced following an order by the interior ministry, according to state TV.

State media reported that voting began at 8 a.m. local time and is scheduled to last for 10 hours, with the possibility of extension. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among the early voters in a process where around 15,000 candidates are vying for seats in the 290-member parliament.

However, voter turnout is anticipated to be low, with projections indicating only 23.5% turnout in the capital Tehran and 38.5% nationwide, according to data from the state-owned polling center ISPA. This lack of participation is attributed to discontent among opposition groups and activists, who have criticized the election on social media under hashtags such as #VOTENoVote and #ElectionCircus.

Prominent figures like imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi have labeled the election as a "sham," reflecting wider dissatisfaction with Iran's political landscape. The dominance of conservative hardliners in the electoral process further underscores concerns regarding the fairness and legitimacy of the elections.

The election holds significance beyond domestic politics, as it serves as a barometer of public opinion following the mass anti-government protests of 2022-2023. Additionally, Iran grapples with economic challenges exacerbated by international sanctions and is entangled in regional tensions, particularly amid conflicts involving pro-Iran groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

While ballots will mostly undergo manual counting, final results might not be available for three days, although partial results could surface as early as Saturday. Despite criticisms and uncertainties, the election is poised to shape Iran's political trajectory amidst ongoing domestic and international challenges.