The Bottom Line Upfront

The Iranian presidential election has reached an unprecedented low voter turnout of just 40%, heading into a rare runoff between hardliner Saeed Jalili and reformist Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Breakdown

  • The state of despair caused by economic degradation, crackdowns on dissent, and high tensions with the West have left many voters disillusioned by limited candidate choices and unmet past promises.
  • The low voter turnout reflects growing apathy and diminished trust in Iran's electoral system, posing significant challenges for whichever candidate emerges victorious.
  • Decreased citizen engagement signals widespread disenchantment, following years of protest against the Islamic Republic leadership, which came to a head in worldview after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini. Past broken promises exacerbate economic hardships influencing voter sentiment.