Iranians Vote for Parliament as Khamenei Urges High Turnout

Iranians voted today in the country’s first election since the disputed presidential contest of 2009 sparked mass protests, as sanctions targeting the country’s nuclear program squeeze the economy.

Voting to elect 290 members to the parliament, known as the Majlis, was extended until 8 p.m. local time due to long lines at polling stations, the Interior Ministry said. About 48 million Iranians were eligible to cast ballots for more than 3,400 candidates cleared to compete by the Guardian Council, a body of jurists and clerics. One-third of would-be candidates were barred, including about 30 members of the current assembly.