Iran gears up for first election since nuclear deal

World Today

In Iran, two key elections will happen on the same day. In one of those, the people of Iran will go to the polls in less than 24 hours to elect members of the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts.

More than 6,200 candidates are running for Parliament including nearly 600 women.

In the other election, voters in Iran will also choose a clerical council in charge of naming a successor to the country’s supreme leader. In both elections, candidates were vetted by the Guardian Council, and hundreds were disqualified.

Turnout is expected to be high especially among the youth of Iran. This is the first time in 12 years the hardliners are facing a serious challenge from reformists and supporters of president Hassan Rouhani.

CCTV America’s Elmira Jafari reports.


Seyed Hossein Mousavian on Iran’s elections

CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Seyed Houssein Mousavian. He’s a former Iranian diplomat.

Watch the full interview with Seyed Hossein Mousavian: