  Parliamentary elections kick off in Iran March 2, 2012 - 09:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Voting starts in Iran, with nearly 47.000 polling stations taking ballots for the 290-member parliament. State media said polling stations opened their doors to voters at 8 a.m. and are due to close at 6 pm, BBC reports. It is the first poll since the controversial 2009 presidential elections, which the opposition says were rigged in favor of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The vote is widely viewed as a contest between his supporters and those of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The opposition Green Movement is not taking part. Its leaders have been placed under house arrest. Early on March 2, Iranian TV broadcast images of Mr Khamenei casting his vote in the capital, Tehran. More than 48 million people are eligible to take part in the vote out of the population of 74 million. The authorities are urging voters to come out in large numbers, with some posters in Tehran even warning that a low turnout might encourage foreign powers to launch military strikes. The respective strength of the different conservative camps after this poll will define the balance of power for what may be a much more important vote - the 2013 presidential election.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals  Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation.Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush.Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |
