...

Iran holds second round of parliamentary elections

Iran Materials 25 April 2008 12:56 (UTC +04:00)

Iran on Friday held the second round of parliamentary elections in which 164 candidates were competing for the remaining 82 seats in parliament, including 11 for the politically important Tehran constituency, dpa reported.

The voting started at 8 am and was supposed to end at 6 pm (0330 - 1330 GMT) but was expected to be extended for at least two hours. According to the interior ministry, results would be announced on Sunday.

Almost 44 million Iranians over the age of 18 are eligible to vote but turnout is expected to be much lower than the almost 51 per cent who voted in the first round.

In the first round of elections on March 14, 208 of the total 290 deputies gained the necessary 25 per cent of the votes and have been elected directly. In the second round a simple majority would suffice.

The conservatives took more than 60 per cent of the seats and the remaining seats went to reformists and so-called independents.

Latest

Latest