In the lead-up to Iran's critical elections for the Majlis and Council of Experts this Friday, a series of reports and studies have highlighted a significant shift in public sentiment towards the country's theocratic regime. Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), criticized the elections under the current regime as a sham. A confidential study by Iran's Culture Ministry, which was leaked, reveals a dramatic decline in adherence to religious values among Iranians, with 73% expressing a desire for a secular government. This sentiment is echoed in an anonymous state-run poll indicating that less than one in 10 Iranians support the mandatory hijab, a stark decrease from 18.6%, and nearly 75% favor a secular government over a theocratic dictatorship. Additionally, a free tribune board in Tehran has showcased widespread discontent with government policies, with many declaring their intention to abstain from voting in the upcoming elections. These developments come as conservative control is expected to continue, with all eyes on voter turnout and Tehran's vote, amid concerns over the arbitrary disqualification of candidates and dwindling participation rates that have characterized past elections under the Islamist regime.
The 2024 elections in Iran mirror past ones under the Islamist regime in various aspects, such as the arbitrary disqualification of candidates and dwindling participation rates. But several distinctive features characterize this particular election cycle. https://t.co/tw8GIupYNX
🇮🇷 An anonymous state-run poll has revealed that less than one in 10 Iranians think women should be forced to wear a hijab, down from 18.6%. Almost 75% of people want a secular government instead of a theocratic dictatorship. Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/ABK34YHXZR https://t.co/S7EocjPQOd
A free tribune board in Tehran has revealed the vast array of discontent with Iranian government policies, with people declaring their refusal to participate in the upcoming elections. https://t.co/hJmk0HRiiB
🇮🇷 ELECTIONS IN IRAN: A TEST FOR DEMOCRACY Iran is set to hold critical elections for the Majlis and Council of Experts this Friday. With conservative control allegedly expected to continue, all eyes are on voter turnout and Tehran's vote. Source: Raz Zimmt Photos: Archived https://t.co/oa4hX9a5nh
A confidential study by Iran's Culture Ministry reveals a significant decline in adherence to religious values among Iranians, despite the regime's extensive ideological propaganda. The leaked study shows that 73% of Iranians demand a secular government. https://t.co/RnqBvDsLXZ https://t.co/VQV7pmymWa
“The people have entirely given up on the ballot box under this current theocracy of the mullahs because it’s a sham,” said Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington office of NCRI, which also has representatives in several European nations. https://t.co/Ey96lzQieJ