Iran oil minister calls for high turnout at parliament elections

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 24

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has called on Iranians to show high turnout in the upcoming elections for parliament and the Assembly of Experts to be held on Feb. 26.

"I request all eligible voters to participate in the election," Zanganeh said in a video message, published on Iran's video sharing website Aparat.

Saying that casting ballots will contribute to fulfill the goals aimed at developing the country in the post-sanctions era, he described the elections as an essential step towards creating job opportunities and economic growth.

"Elections are of high importance for our country. We decide about our fate through elections. If people want development in the country they should go to the polling stations," he added.

I am really hopeful that the high turnout at the elections will open a new chapter in the economic development of Iran, he concluded.

Iranians will elect both law makers for parliament and clerics for the Assembly of Experts on February 26.

The Assembly of Experts is comprised of 86 Islamic scholars (Mujtahids) who are elected by the public to eight-year terms. The Assembly of Experts is an influential body in charge of supervising the supreme leader and organizations under his direct control as well as electing a successor for him.

Election campaigns are heating up in the Islamic Republic as the two main rival political groups of conservatives and reformists are making efforts to secure more seats in the both parliament and the Assembly of Experts.