After multiple extensions and delays polls in Iran's eleventh parliamentary election came to an end, news agency AFP reported quoting news agencies Tasnim and Fars.

After multiple extensions and delays polls in Iran's eleventh parliamentary election came to an end, news agency AFP reported quoting news agencies Tasnim and Fars. The crucial polls come at a time when Iran is tackling escalating tensions with the US and the outbreak of the coronavirus with at least four deaths. Initial results are expected later today. Hardliners loyal to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are likely to sweep a parliamentary election on Friday that will cement their grip on power as the country faces mounting US pressure over its nuclear programme and growing discontent at home, the report added. In order to allow a maximum number of people to cast their ballots, the polling was extended at least five times and finally closed at 2030 GMT. The vote will have no influence on Iran's foreign policy which is decided by the supreme leader but it might bolster hardliners in the 2021 contest for president and toughen Tehran's foreign policy. Iranian authorities earlier forecast a turnout of about 50%, compared to 62% and 66% respectively in the 2016 and 2012 votes, the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

After multiple extensions, polls close in Iran general elections

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/voting-begins-in-irans-parliamentary-elections-281931"> disqualification of thousands of candidates.</a>

The 11th parliamentary election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution comes after steeply escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner by Iranian air defences that sparked anti-government protests.

As he cast the first ballot in the election, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged all Iranians to take part, saying that doing so would "guarantee the country's national interests".

Voters formed long queues at polling stations in south Tehran, where conservatives have a solid support base, but far fewer were seen waiting to vote in upmarket northern neighbourhoods.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-defends-barring-of-candidates-as-campaign-ends-281826">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran defends barring of candidates as campaign ends</a>

One official accused Iran's enemies of overplaying an outbreak of the new coronavirus -- which has killed four people in the Islamic republic this week -- in a bid to harm the credibility of the election.

"The counter-revolutionaries' latest trick was to exaggerate the coronavirus news by saying that finger ink had been infected," Tehran election committee chief Shokrollah Hassanbeygi said, quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA.

In a bid to allay fears over the spread of the coronavirus, the use of ink-staining to stop people voting multiple times was made optional.

Watch: Voting begins for Iran's parliamentary polls, 7,148 candidates in the race

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Experts predict a low turnout that they say will serve the conservatives at the expense of President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected in 2017 promising more freedoms and the benefits of engagement with the West.

'Useless'

Iran has been in deep recession since US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after unilaterally pulling out of a landmark nuclear deal in 2018.

"Our elections are useless," said Amir Mohtasham, who is 38 and jobless.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iran-to-vote-in-crucial-parliamentary-election-many-see-as-lost-cause-281844">In Pics: Iran to vote in crucial parliamentary election, many see as 'lost cause'</a>

"Even the current parliament has 90 sitting MPs who are under investigation for financial corruption."

After four hours of voting, more than 7.5 million of the 58 million people eligible to vote had done so, the interior ministry said.

Around half of the 16,033 hopefuls are contesting the 290 seats up for grabs across 31 provinces after the Guardian Council barred thousands of would-be candidates, mostly moderates and reformists.

Outgoing lawmaker Elyas Hazrati said he voted despite being disqualified.

"The Guardian Council said I don't accept Islam," he said.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the US slapped sanctions on five officials from the Council, including Ahmad Jannati, a powerful cleric.

Jannati laughed off the sanctions.

"I wonder, what are we going to do about all that money we have in American accounts?" the 92-year-old was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency after voting.

"Now we can't even go there for Christmas anymore!"

Rouhani under fire

The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 percent of registered voters to turn out, down from an average of 60.5 percent at the past 10 elections.

Many voters have voiced disillusionment, however.

Real estate worker Alireza Hashemi, 25, criticised Rouhani's government.

"After we elected Rouhani everything collapsed. He signed a very bad (nuclear) deal and looked to the West without any real guarantees," he told AFP.

"Rouhani is very weak. He just looks to the West. If he considered his people's interests this would not have happened."

As he voted, the beleaguered president sought to put a positive spin on the election.

"We are very happy that another glorious day is being added to the history of our country and revolution," Rouhani said.

'Only a formality'

In November, demonstrations over petrol price hikes spread across Iran and turned violent before being crushed in a deadly crackdown.

Tehran and Washington have nearly gone to war twice in the past seven months, most recently after the US assassinated prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3.

Millions of people turned out to mourn his "martyrdom", but that unity suffered a blow after Iran admitted it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner on January 8, killing 176 people.

The authorities denied for days that Iran was to blame, before owning up to a jittery reaction by a missile operator.

The disaster unfolded as Iran's defences were on high alert for US retaliation hours after it carried out missile strikes on American troops in Iraq in response to Soleimani's killing.

Voting for the parliament, or Majles, lasts 10 hours but can be extended. Final results are not expected before Sunday.

Apart from the parliament, voters will also choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader.

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the disqualification of thousands of candidates.

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the disqualification of thousands of candidates. The 11th parliamentary election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution comes after steeply escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner by Iranian air defences that sparked anti-government protests. As he cast the first ballot in the election, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged all Iranians to take part, saying that doing so would "guarantee the country's national interests". Voters formed long queues at polling stations in south Tehran, where conservatives have a solid support base, but far fewer were seen waiting to vote in upmarket northern neighbourhoods. Also Read: Iran defends barring of candidates as campaign ends One official accused Iran's enemies of overplaying an outbreak of the new coronavirus -- which has killed four people in the Islamic republic this week -- in a bid to harm the credibility of the election. "The counter-revolutionaries' latest trick was to exaggerate the coronavirus news by saying that finger ink had been infected," Tehran election committee chief Shokrollah Hassanbeygi said, quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA. In a bid to allay fears over the spread of the coronavirus, the use of ink-staining to stop people voting multiple times was made optional. Watch: Voting begins for Iran's parliamentary polls, 7,148 candidates in the race × Experts predict a low turnout that they say will serve the conservatives at the expense of President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected in 2017 promising more freedoms and the benefits of engagement with the West. 'Useless' Iran has been in deep recession since US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after unilaterally pulling out of a landmark nuclear deal in 2018. "Our elections are useless," said Amir Mohtasham, who is 38 and jobless. In Pics: Iran to vote in crucial parliamentary election, many see as 'lost cause' "Even the current parliament has 90 sitting MPs who are under investigation for financial corruption." After four hours of voting, more than 7.5 million of the 58 million people eligible to vote had done so, the interior ministry said. Around half of the 16,033 hopefuls are contesting the 290 seats up for grabs across 31 provinces after the Guardian Council barred thousands of would-be candidates, mostly moderates and reformists. Outgoing lawmaker Elyas Hazrati said he voted despite being disqualified. "The Guardian Council said I don't accept Islam," he said. On Thursday, the US slapped sanctions on five officials from the Council, including Ahmad Jannati, a powerful cleric. Jannati laughed off the sanctions. "I wonder, what are we going to do about all that money we have in American accounts?" the 92-year-old was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency after voting. "Now we can't even go there for Christmas anymore!" Rouhani under fire The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 percent of registered voters to turn out, down from an average of 60.5 percent at the past 10 elections. Many voters have voiced disillusionment, however. Real estate worker Alireza Hashemi, 25, criticised Rouhani's government. "After we elected Rouhani everything collapsed. He signed a very bad (nuclear) deal and looked to the West without any real guarantees," he told AFP. "Rouhani is very weak. He just looks to the West. If he considered his people's interests this would not have happened." As he voted, the beleaguered president sought to put a positive spin on the election. "We are very happy that another glorious day is being added to the history of our country and revolution," Rouhani said. 'Only a formality' In November, demonstrations over petrol price hikes spread across Iran and turned violent before being crushed in a deadly crackdown. Tehran and Washington have nearly gone to war twice in the past seven months, most recently after the US assassinated prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3. Millions of people turned out to mourn his "martyrdom", but that unity suffered a blow after Iran admitted it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner on January 8, killing 176 people. The authorities denied for days that Iran was to blame, before owning up to a jittery reaction by a missile operator. The disaster unfolded as Iran's defences were on high alert for US retaliation hours after it carried out missile strikes on American troops in Iraq in response to Soleimani's killing. Voting for the parliament, or Majles, lasts 10 hours but can be extended. Final results are not expected before Sunday. Apart from the parliament, voters will also choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader.

Iran votes in general election marred by disqualifications

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After multiple extensions, polls close in Iran general elections

Iran votes in general election marred by disqualifications