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| Iran election extended amid high turnout | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Voting in Iran has been extended as crowds rushed to cast their ballots in the first election since a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme and the lifting of sanctions. | |
| Voters are choosing a new parliament and Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that appoints the Supreme Leader. | Voters are choosing a new parliament and Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that appoints the Supreme Leader. |
| Reformists are hoping to gain influence in the conservative-dominated bodies. | |
| The outcome could affect reformist President Hassan Rouhani's chances of re-election in 2017. | The outcome could affect reformist President Hassan Rouhani's chances of re-election in 2017. |
| What is the Assembly of Experts? | What is the Assembly of Experts? |
| Iran elections: Five things to know | Iran elections: Five things to know |
| Elections highlight divisions | Elections highlight divisions |
| Punchy politics on social media | Punchy politics on social media |
| Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for a big turnout to "disappoint our enemies". | Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for a big turnout to "disappoint our enemies". |
| "Whoever likes Iran and its dignity, greatness and glory should vote. Iran has enemies. They are eyeing us greedily... People should be observant and vote with open eyes and should vote wisely," he said after casting his vote. | "Whoever likes Iran and its dignity, greatness and glory should vote. Iran has enemies. They are eyeing us greedily... People should be observant and vote with open eyes and should vote wisely," he said after casting his vote. |
| And state TV said voting had been extended by two hours - to 20:00 (16:30 GMT) - because of "a rush of voters" outside polling stations. | |
| The parliamentary elections are to choose 290 MPs for four-year terms. About 12,000 potential candidates registered, but only half were cleared to stand by the Guardian Council, a key body loyal to the Supreme Leader. Only about 200 moderate candidates got through the vetting process. | The parliamentary elections are to choose 290 MPs for four-year terms. About 12,000 potential candidates registered, but only half were cleared to stand by the Guardian Council, a key body loyal to the Supreme Leader. Only about 200 moderate candidates got through the vetting process. |
| Voters will also select 88 clerics to the Assembly of Experts, who serve eight-year terms. | Voters will also select 88 clerics to the Assembly of Experts, who serve eight-year terms. |
| Members of the new Assembly might end up choosing the successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, who is 76 and has suffered ill-health. | Members of the new Assembly might end up choosing the successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, who is 76 and has suffered ill-health. |
| Some 55 million people are eligible to vote. | |
| BBC Persian's Ali Hamedani says the economy has been a key issue in this election. With sanctions lifted and Western investors beginning to return to Iran, there are high hopes for an improvement in daily life, he says. | BBC Persian's Ali Hamedani says the economy has been a key issue in this election. With sanctions lifted and Western investors beginning to return to Iran, there are high hopes for an improvement in daily life, he says. |
| Reformists and moderates say they are targeting greater foreign investment, which, our correspondent says, will drive jobs for young people. | Reformists and moderates say they are targeting greater foreign investment, which, our correspondent says, will drive jobs for young people. |
| More than half of Iranians are under 35, but the youth unemployment rate is 25%, more than two and a half times the national average. | More than half of Iranians are under 35, but the youth unemployment rate is 25%, more than two and a half times the national average. |
| However, conservatives say strong economic growth is more likely to come from domestic production in what they describe as a "resistance economy" that draws on the ideals of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. | However, conservatives say strong economic growth is more likely to come from domestic production in what they describe as a "resistance economy" that draws on the ideals of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. |
| Results for the Assembly of Experts are expected over the weekend. The results of the parliamentary election could take longer and it is likely to go to a second round in April as candidates need 25% of the vote to win outright. | Results for the Assembly of Experts are expected over the weekend. The results of the parliamentary election could take longer and it is likely to go to a second round in April as candidates need 25% of the vote to win outright. |
| Are you voting in Iran? What are your thoughts on the election? What issues matter to you? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments. | Are you voting in Iran? What are your thoughts on the election? What issues matter to you? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |