Unofficial reports on Saturday estimated turnout in&nbsp;Iran’s parliamentary election, seen as a test of the clerical establishment’s legitimacy, at about 40%, which would be the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

With heavyweight moderates and conservatives staying out and reformists calling Friday's election unfree and unfair, the contest was essentially among hardliners and low-key conservatives who proclaim loyalty to Islamic revolutionary ideals.

The interior ministry may announce the official turnout later on Saturday.

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Tehran's rulers needed a high turnout to repair their legitimacy, badly damaged by anti-government protests in 2022-23 that spiralled into some of the worst political turmoil since the revolution.

But official surveys suggested only about 41 per cent&nbsp;of eligible&nbsp;Iranians would vote. That appeared to be the case, as Hamshahri newspaper said more than 25 million people, or 41% of eligible voters, had turned out.

Iran's turnout hit a record low 42.5 per cent&nbsp;in 2020 parliamentary elections, while about 62 per cent&nbsp;of voters participated in 2016.

Hamshahri called Friday's turnout "a 25-million slap” to calls for an election boycott, in a front-page headline next to a depiction of a ballot paper smacking United States&nbsp;President Joe Biden in the face.

Watch:&nbsp;Iran: Array of political, social and economic problems

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The election coincided with growing frustration over&nbsp;Iran's economic woes and restrictions on political and social freedoms.

It was twinned with a vote for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, an influential body tasked with choosing the 84-year-old Khamenei's successor.

Unofficial reports on Saturday estimated turnout in Iran’s parliamentary election, seen as a test of the clerical establishment’s legitimacy, at about 40%, which would be the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Unofficial reports on Saturday estimated turnout in Iran’s parliamentary election, seen as a test of the clerical establishment’s legitimacy, at about 40%, which would be the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic revolution. With heavyweight moderates and conservatives staying out and reformists calling Friday's election unfree and unfair, the contest was essentially among hardliners and low-key conservatives who proclaim loyalty to Islamic revolutionary ideals. The interior ministry may announce the official turnout later on Saturday. Also Read: Iran elections underway as over 15,000 candidates vie for seats in 290-member parliament Tehran's rulers needed a high turnout to repair their legitimacy, badly damaged by anti-government protests in 2022-23 that spiralled into some of the worst political turmoil since the revolution. But official surveys suggested only about 41 per cent of eligible Iranians would vote. That appeared to be the case, as Hamshahri newspaper said more than 25 million people, or 41% of eligible voters, had turned out. Iran's turnout hit a record low 42.5 per cent in 2020 parliamentary elections, while about 62 per cent of voters participated in 2016. Hamshahri called Friday's turnout "a 25-million slap” to calls for an election boycott, in a front-page headline next to a depiction of a ballot paper smacking United States President Joe Biden in the face. Watch: Iran: Array of political, social and economic problems The election coincided with growing frustration over Iran's economic woes and restrictions on political and social freedoms. It was twinned with a vote for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, an influential body tasked with choosing the 84-year-old Khamenei's successor.

Iran election turnout around 40 per cent, say unofficial reports

Tunisia's parliamentary run-off elections on Sunday had a low turnout of a mere 11 per cent. The turnout though more than December's first-round voter turnout rate of 8.8 per cent, is still significantly low.&nbsp;In a strong rebuke to the president for his 2021 power grab, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, leader of the nation's main opposition, the National Salvation Front, said, “Almost 90% of Tunisian voters ignored this piece of theatre and refused to be involved in the process."&nbsp;

“I call on political groups and civil society to join hands to work for change, in the form of Kais Saied’s departure and early presidential elections," he added.&nbsp;

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Tunisians appear to be uninterested in voting in the parliamentary elections. One Tunisian Nejib Sahli, 40, while passing a polling station in the Hay Ettahrir district of Tunis early on Sunday said, “I’m not interested in elections that do not concern me," reported France 24.&nbsp;

Saied won the 2019 elections with a landslide however last year, Tunisian President Kais Saied dissolved the country's parliament. At the time, Saied said that the move was taken to purge the country of economic crisis and corruption. Additionally, he blamed government of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

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On 25 July 2021, while invoking an emergency act Article 80 from Tunisia’s constitution Saied removed the Prime Minister and suspended the Parliament the next day. Seizing the power, the president vowed that he will appoint a new leader.&nbsp;

The whole episode which shattered the democratic ambitions of the Arab nation, played out after huge protests gripped the country with citizens blaming the government for Covid mishandling. The country reportedly witnessed a huge death tally during the pandemic.&nbsp;

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-nadhim-zahawi-sacked-as-conservative-party-chief-557134">UK: Nadhim Zahawi sacked as Conservative party chief</a>

Tunisia's opposition party Ennahdha termed the move a coup. He not only removed the cabinet members but also removed many senior officials including many senior judges. Many opposition leaders were put behind bars. Notably, Tunisia has had eight Prime Ministers since 2011.

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Tunisia's parliamentary run-off elections on Sunday had a low turnout of a mere 11 per cent. The turnout though more than December's first-round voter turnout rate of 8.

Tunisia's parliamentary run-off elections on Sunday had a low turnout of a mere 11 per cent. The turnout though more than December's first-round voter turnout rate of 8.8 per cent, is still significantly low. In a strong rebuke to the president for his 2021 power grab, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, leader of the nation's main opposition, the National Salvation Front, said, “Almost 90% of Tunisian voters ignored this piece of theatre and refused to be involved in the process." “I call on political groups and civil society to join hands to work for change, in the form of Kais Saied’s departure and early presidential elections," he added. Also Read | 'With a missile, it would only take a minute' Boris Johnson reveals he got threats from Putin Tunisians appear to be uninterested in voting in the parliamentary elections. One Tunisian Nejib Sahli, 40, while passing a polling station in the Hay Ettahrir district of Tunis early on Sunday said, “I’m not interested in elections that do not concern me," reported France 24. Saied won the 2019 elections with a landslide however last year, Tunisian President Kais Saied dissolved the country's parliament. At the time, Saied said that the move was taken to purge the country of economic crisis and corruption. Additionally, he blamed government of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic. Also Read | Pakistan bypolls for 33 vacant National Assembly seats in March, Imran to contest on all On 25 July 2021, while invoking an emergency act Article 80 from Tunisia’s constitution Saied removed the Prime Minister and suspended the Parliament the next day. Seizing the power, the president vowed that he will appoint a new leader. The whole episode which shattered the democratic ambitions of the Arab nation, played out after huge protests gripped the country with citizens blaming the government for Covid mishandling. The country reportedly witnessed a huge death tally during the pandemic. Watch | UK: Nadhim Zahawi sacked as Conservative party chief Tunisia's opposition party Ennahdha termed the move a coup. He not only removed the cabinet members but also removed many senior officials including many senior judges. Many opposition leaders were put behind bars. Notably, Tunisia has had eight Prime Ministers since 2011. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

With apathetic voters, Tunisia parliamentary election records astonishingly low turnout

Iranian parliamentary election begins, hardliners set to dominate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the historic turnout of 98 per cent&nbsp;of voters in the Block Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said this certainly marks the dawn of new and youthful leadership&nbsp;in the region.

Congratulating all winning candidates PM Modi said that I congratulate all those who have emerged victorious in the BDC polls across Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh. This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come.

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News that would make every Indian proud!&nbsp; 
 
For the first time since 1947, Block Development Council elections were held in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh on the 24th. 
 
The polls witnessed a historic turnout of 98%. There were over 1080 candidates in the fray in 310 blocks.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1187624495932010496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come," PM Modi wrote.

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I congratulate all those who have emerged victorious in the BDC polls across Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh. 
 
This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1187624807740788736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The state has 316 blocks but elections were held in 283 blocks on Thursday. In 27 blocks, chairpersons were elected unopposed.

Independents swept the BDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP emerges as the single largest party with 81 seats.

One block was won by Congress and eight blocks went to Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the historic turnout of 98 per cent of voters in the Block Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said this certainly marks the dawn of new and youthful leadership in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the historic turnout of 98 per cent of voters in the Block Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said this certainly marks the dawn of new and youthful leadership in the region. Congratulating all winning candidates PM Modi said that I congratulate all those who have emerged victorious in the BDC polls across Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh. This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come. News that would make every Indian proud! For the first time since 1947, Block Development Council elections were held in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh on the 24th. The polls witnessed a historic turnout of 98%. There were over 1080 candidates in the fray in 310 blocks. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 25, 2019 × "This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come," PM Modi wrote. I congratulate all those who have emerged victorious in the BDC polls across Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh. This marks the dawn of a new and youthful leadership across the regions, which will make a monumental contribution to national progress in the times to come. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 25, 2019 × The state has 316 blocks but elections were held in 283 blocks on Thursday. In 27 blocks, chairpersons were elected unopposed. Independents swept the BDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP emerges as the single largest party with 81 seats. One block was won by Congress and eight blocks went to Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party. (With inputs from agencies)

Historic 98% turnout in J&K's local body polls would make every Indian proud: PM Narendra Modi

Turnout in North Korea's single-candidate elections hit 99.99 per cent this year, state media said Tuesday -- up from a seemingly unimprovable 99.97 per cent the last time they were held.

With participation figures that Western democracies would never achieve, millions of North Koreans head to nationwide polls every five years to elect the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People's Assembly.

But with only one approved name on each voting slip in the isolated country, which is ruled with an iron grip by Kim Jong Un's Workers' Party, the result is never in doubt.

This year's turnout fell just short of 100 per cent as those "abroad or working in oceans" were unable to take part, the North's official KCNA news agency reported.

Like in 2014, results for the nationwide election held at the weekend came in 100 per cent in favour of all named candidates.

"All the electors participated as one in the election to cement our people's power as firm as a rock," KCNA said, citing a report released by the Central Election Committee.

"One hundred per cent of them cast their ballots for the candidates for deputies to the SPA registered in relevant constituencies," it added.

A detailed list of the 687 candidates was not immediately available.

But leader Kim's younger sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong was among the newly elected according to the South's Yonhap news agency, citing Pyongyang state media.

Critics say the North's election -- with its total absence of electoral competition -- is largely a political rite for enabling the authorities to claim a mandate from the people while reinforcing loyalty to the government and social unity.&nbsp;

Turnout in North Korea's single-candidate elections hit 99.99 per cent this year, state media said Tuesday -- up from a seemingly unimprovable 99.97 per cent the last time they were held.

Turnout in North Korea's single-candidate elections hit 99.99 per cent this year, state media said Tuesday -- up from a seemingly unimprovable 99.97 per cent the last time they were held. With participation figures that Western democracies would never achieve, millions of North Koreans head to nationwide polls every five years to elect the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People's Assembly. But with only one approved name on each voting slip in the isolated country, which is ruled with an iron grip by Kim Jong Un's Workers' Party, the result is never in doubt. This year's turnout fell just short of 100 per cent as those "abroad or working in oceans" were unable to take part, the North's official KCNA news agency reported. Like in 2014, results for the nationwide election held at the weekend came in 100 per cent in favour of all named candidates. "All the electors participated as one in the election to cement our people's power as firm as a rock," KCNA said, citing a report released by the Central Election Committee. "One hundred per cent of them cast their ballots for the candidates for deputies to the SPA registered in relevant constituencies," it added. A detailed list of the 687 candidates was not immediately available. But leader Kim's younger sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong was among the newly elected according to the South's Yonhap news agency, citing Pyongyang state media. Critics say the North's election -- with its total absence of electoral competition -- is largely a political rite for enabling the authorities to claim a mandate from the people while reinforcing loyalty to the government and social unity.

North Korea election sees 99.99% turnout: State Media

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