Ex-Tehran Council Member Slams New Iranian Parliament

Hasan Bayadi, a former member of the Tehran City Council and a conservative political activist, has voiced criticism against the newly formed Iranian parliament.

Speaking to Rouydad 24, Bayadi said: “With this combination of selected hardliners and sometimes shameless people, it's just the same parliament, and perhaps even worse than the previous parliament.”

Highlighting the record low public participation in the March elections, with a significant volume of invalid votes, he added: "In each period, we witness a decrease in participation compared to the previous one, but we see them congratulating each other for minimal public participation".

Bayadi also expressed concern over the influence of powerful networks supporting such actors, suggesting that “this poses a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral system and the democratic principles it upholds.”

The March 11 polls recorded a historic low turnout of just 41 percent according to the government, though figures are likely to be far lower than official statistics, closer to 10 percent.

Low turnout has been a matter of concern for Iranian authorities in the wake of the 2022 uprising, reflecting the dire lack of trust felt by the Iranian public in the state mechanisms. 

Many Iranians, especially among the younger generation, feel disillusioned with the political system. They perceive that their votes may not bring about significant change or that the candidates do not represent their interests adequately.

The Guardian Council, a body of clerics and jurists, vets candidates for elected offices in Iran. This vetting process disqualifies many potential candidates, leading to a perception of limited choice.

Economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and economic inequality, also led to apathy among voters who feel that their immediate economic concerns are not being adequately addressed by the political system.

Restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, as well as the suppression of political dissent, have further created an atmosphere of fear and discourage political engagement from a people whose voices have been quashed by radical suppression.