TEHRAN – The spokesman for Iran's Defense Ministry has urged the citizens to exercise their voting rights in the parliamentary elections, highlighting the crucial role of participation in shaping the nation's future.

As Iran stands on the cusp of pivotal parliamentary elections scheduled for March 1, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, in an interview with Fars news agency, stated, "The discussion surrounding electoral participation is undeniably of great importance. Elections serve as the mechanism for empowering the institutions of our country. In essence, all institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran are directly or indirectly shaped based on the people's votes."

He further highlighted the unique identity of the Iranian nation as Islamic and revolutionary, noting that living in a region at the forefront of global developments brings about national and international consequences from elections. General Talaei-Nik emphasized that beyond the immediate results of elections, a strong voter turnout would send a powerful message of cohesion and resolve to the international community.

“In the face of perceived threats to Iran by adversaries in both domestic and foreign arenas, the extent of the people's participation in elections becomes a crucial consideration across national and international domains,” General Talaei-Nik noted.

The Iranian Parliament, known as the Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majlis, plays a central role in the governance structure, responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and overseeing government policies. Almost 15,000 candidates have been approved to compete in the parliamentary elections that are held every four years. In order to secure a position as a lawmaker for a four-year term, a victorious candidate is required to obtain a minimum of 20 percent of the votes cast within their respective constituency. 

Concurrently with the elections of the Islamic Consultative Majlis, the Assembly of Experts election will be held on March 1, where 144 candidates are vying for 88 seats at the body, which elects and oversees the performance of Leader of the Islamic Revolution and is in a position of authority to either appoint or dismiss Leader.

Mohammadreza Shahcheraghi, deputy minister of interior for political affairs and the head of election headquarters, said around 59,000 polling stations will be opened on the day of elections and nearly 800,000 people will be involved in the process of overseeing the elections.