Iran reports lowest voter turnout since 1979February 24, 2020 - 15:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's interior minister has announced that the voter turnout in the recent parliamentary elections was about 42%, the lowest since the 1979 revolution, Al Jazeera reports. It was the first time turnout dipped below the 50% mark since the revolution as the country's top leader said its enemies played up the threat of the new coronavirus to dissuade people from voting. "The turnout across the country was 42.57%," Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told a televised news conference on Sunday. "In [the capital] Tehran, it was around 25%. Across Iran, over 24 million people voted." Fazli said the election took place under less-than-ideal circumstances, but nevertheless, "we believe that the number of votes and the turnout is absolutely acceptable". In the 2016 polls, the turnout was 62%, while four years earlier, it was 66%. The 2020 figure will be a disappointment for the country's political leadership, which had called for a turnout of at least 55 to 60% in the run-up to the elections. 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 | 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. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |