Polls Elevate Image of Iran: Speaker Larijani
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Friday elections put the spotlight on Iran as one of the few democratic states in the region and reinforced the international image of the country, parliament speaker said.
Addressing an open session of the parliament on Monday, Ali Larijani said the high turnout in the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections shaped a new criterion for interaction with Iran in the international community.
People’s remarkable participation in the polls elevated Iran’s position in the international arena and created a new perception of the country’s position, he noted.
The elections demonstrate the establishment of security in Iran and its significant role in the regional stability and safety, the speaker added.
In a message on Sunday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei also expressed gratitude for the aware, resolved and determined nation of Iran, saying the public turnout at Friday polls displayed “the brilliant face of religious democracy to the world.”
Countrywide parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections were held in Iran on Friday.
More than 60 percent of some 55 million eligible voters cast their ballots at around 53,000 polling stations across the country.
4,844 and 161 candidates have been running for the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, respectively.
There are 290 seats in the Iranian parliament, elected by direct vote of people in nationwide election for four years.
The Assembly of Experts is also a high-ranking body that elects and oversees the activities of the leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Members of the 88-seat assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.
