By Mustafa Melih Ahishali
TEHRAN (AA) – The first unofficial results of the second round of Iran’s parliamentary polls indicates a victory for reformists and centrists over conservative candidates, ISNA, the Iranian Students News Agency, reported Saturday.
According to initial data, the “Hope” list — comprised of reformist and centrist candidates — won 34 of the 68 seats up for grabs in the 290-seat assembly, while independents clinched 22 seats and conservatives picked up eight seats.
A first round of elections in February for the same seats failed to produce any clear winners.
The second round kicked off on Friday in 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces with 136 candidates vying for the 68 seats.
Reformist and moderate candidates who support President Hassan Rouhani hope to reduce the conservatives’ influence on both the Iranian Parliament and the influential Council of Experts, for which polls were also recently held.
Last December, Iran’s Guardian Council of the Constitution provoked outrage after rejecting numerous candidacy applications, including those of prominent theologians and sitting MPs.
Amid mounting criticism, the council eventually accepted 1,500 applications, but these included only a few submitted by reformist candidates.
The Guardian Council of the Constitution is considered one of Iran’s most influential political institutions. It is comprised of 12 members, six of whom are appointed directly by Iran’s supreme leader.
