Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Islamic Parliament of Iran

Political system: Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 26 Feb 2016 to 29 Apr 2016
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 26 May 2016
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 290
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Not applicable. There is no party system or candidates stood as independents.: Yes
Total number of candidates: 6,229
Number of male candidates: 5,643
Number of female candidates: 586
Percentage of women candidates: 9.4%

Results

About the election: The Universal Coalition of Reformists ("List of Hope"), mainly comprising moderate conservatives and reformists (see note 1), fared well in elections to parliament and the Assembly of Experts (see note 2). Led by former Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, it took over 120 seats in the two rounds of parliamentary elections. The Grand Coalition of Principle-ists (comprising hardline conservatives, or "principle-ists"), led by former Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, won over 80 seats, though Mr. Haddad-Adel himself lost his seat. A record 17 women were elected.

During the election campaign, many candidates promised to support greater economic development. Around half of the potential candidates were disqualified by the Guardian Council prior to the election.

The 2016 elections were first to be held under President Hassan Rouhani, elected in 2013. International sanctions were removed in January 2016 following an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. Former President Mohammad Khatami praised the success of the List of Hope, saying the people have expressed their support for the policies of the Rohani administration.

Note 1:

While political parties exist, they are not active. The main political forces are generally considered to be 'conservatives' (often referred to as principle-ists or fundamentalists) and 'reformists'. The reformists favour expanded social freedoms and engagement with the West. Moderate conservatives, who backed the 2015 nuclear agreement, joined the List of Hope in the 2016 elections.

Note 2:

The 88-member Assembly of Experts has the authority to appoint and dismiss the Supreme Leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appointed for life in June 1989. Moderate conservatives won 59% of the seats in 2016, including President Rouhani and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Alternation of power after elections: Not applicable

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 272
Number of women elected: 17
Percentage of women elected: 5.9%
Women Directly Elected: 17
Other notes on the elections: Number of seats at stake: 290, including five seats reserved for minorities who are elected separately.
Sources: Islamic Parliament of Iran (05.03.2016, 02.05.2016)

BBC Monitoring

Press TV

United States Institute of Peace

Aljazeera

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 272
Total number of women after the election: 17
Percentage of women after the election: 5.9%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 28 May 2016

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Ali Ardeshir Larijani (Male)
Date of birth: 1957
Date of election: 31 May 2016