Iran’s Guards Urge ‘Maximum Turnout’ in Parliamentary Elections

(Bloomberg) -- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urged Iranians to vote in large numbers in an election that’s been overshadowed by concerns of low turnout after the mass disqualification of reformist and moderate candidates.

The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, called for “strident and maximum” turnout on Friday in order to counter the “terrorist American regime that is the axis of hostility and evil,” according to a statement published on Sepah News, the Guard’s news website.

While officially an apolitical body, the IRGC derives much of its support from traditional conservatives who are stalwart supporters of the Islamic Republic and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hard-line politicians are broadly strong allies of the Guard and many are former active members.

Clouded by Iran’s standoff with the U.S. and major crises at home, the elections have also drawn major concerns about fairness and representation after dozens of moderates and reformists were barred from standing by the powerful Guardian Council, which is tasked with vetting candidates.

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