Iran International, the largest opposition news outlet (based in the UK) reported that authorities in Iran are evidently manipulating the vote count to secure a predetermined outcome of Friday’s parliamentary elections amidst a notably effective boycott campaign.
TURNOUT
In the face of polls conducted by government agencies that predicted a very low turnout, state media and those controlled by hardliners, as well as hardline political parties and groups launched a massive campaign before the elections, to ensure high turnout.
The polls were inexplicably extended by six hours although citizen reports indicated that the polling stations were not busy at all even during the regular voting hours.
Not only anti-regime voters, but also many former regime insiders, including Reformists, abstained from voting.
THE PHENOMENON OF VOID AND BLANK VOTES
Authorities claim 41 percent of eligible voters participated in the elections. This figure, the lowest in the four-decade history of the Islamic Republic, seems to include the void and blank votes. The total number of votes and blank and void votes has not yet been announced.
Void and blank ballots were abnormally high in nearly every constituency. In some constituencies such as Yazd the number of blank and void ballots is higher than most of the constituency’s top elected representatives.
SUSPICIONS OF REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS ROLE IN ENGINEERING RESULTS
Given the low turnout, the election headquarters of the interior ministry, has been taking their time, despite claims of employing better technology such as computers, to manipulate the numbers, critics say.
DUBIOUS MANDATE FOR THOSE ELECTED
The very low number of votes cast in nearly every constituency, notwithstanding the doubts about the accuracy of the figures announced officially, casts doubt on the mandate of those who will be representing constituencies in the parliament.