Some Citizens Speak to VOA: The Elections Are a Show and We Will Not Participate

The elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts were held on Friday, March 2, in Iran, while the increasing dissatisfaction of the people with the Islamic Republic has led to a noticeable decline in voter turnout compared to the last two elections. Some citizens inside Iran, in an exclusive interview with Shahram Bahraminejad, a reporter for VOA, described the elections as 'staged' and believe the outcome is predetermined. One interviewee deemed issues like inflation and rising prices irrelevant to the electoral candidates, stating that the candidates are only working for themselves and their families. On the other hand, it seems that Iranian citizens are now presenting stronger arguments for their decision not to participate in elections held within the framework of the Islamic Republic. One citizen pointed out the ineffectiveness of their participation in previous elections, emphasizing the people's dissatisfaction with their lives and issues such as unemployment. In addition to economic challenges, a group of people has joined the election boycotters due to events related to the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police. From the presidential election of 1997, where public participation was eighty percent, to today, where participation has reached its lowest level, Iranian society has undergone significant transformations, which one young resident of Iran considers valuable. Reactions to the elections include Prince Reza Pahlavi stating that the Islamic Republic's 'election circus' is a 'great deception.' The phone calls of Tomaj Salehi were cut off after he published a message about boycotting the elections. Abram Pily noted that the people of Iran cannot express their true opinions at the ballot box. The elections began amid calls for a boycott, with threats and government promises increasing.