DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s interior ministry says voter turnout in recent parliamentary elections stood at 42.57%. It's the lowest-ever in decades.
The lower turnout is widely seen as a measure of how Iranians view the country's government.
It's a possible sign of widespread dissatisfaction with Iran's clerical rulers and the state of the economy amid intense pressure from the United States.
In comparison, turnout was nearly 62% in the 2016 elections.
Turnout has consistently been above 50% since the country's Islamic Revolution some four decades ago.
U.S. pressure and sanctions have plunged Iran's economy into recession, and the elections also took place amid a growing number of coronavirus cases in Iran.