Iran election: turnout sinks to record low as polls close

Extending polling hours fails to boost turnout beyond previous low from 2020 election, strengthening claims people are rejecting the regime by staying at home

Polling closed in Iran's parliamentary elections on Friday night, with officials claiming the nationwide turnout was a record low of 40.6%.

After 10 hours of voting, turnout had stood at only 27%, and in Tehran it was just 12% after eight hours, before the polls were unexpectedly kept open for an extra two hours.