2012 Iranian legislative election
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The parliamentary election for the 9th Islamic Consultative Assembly, or Majlis, were held in Iran on Friday, 2 March 2012 with a second round on 4 May 2012 in those 65 districts where no candidate received 25% or more of the votes cast. More than 5,000 candidates registered but more than a third were disqualified[9] by the Guardian Council leaving about 3,400 candidates to run for the 290 seat representing the 31 provinces.
The election has been described by journalists and analysts "as a contest between" Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,[9] with Khamenei supporters winning a large majority of seats.[10] Iranian officials and state media have described the election as a sign of Iranians' trust in the Islamic Republic and a message to the West rejecting pressure over Iran's nuclear program.[10][11] Although no final election turnout figures were released,[11] state media emphasized that voter turnout was high.[11]
The parliament has "no direct control over key foreign and security policy matters" but some influence over those policies and coming elections.[11] In the wake of the crushing of reformist protest against the 2009 election results, few if any reformist candidates were allowed by the Guardian Council to run.[12] The new parliament was opened on 27 May 2012.