Iran election turnout is disappointing

tehran - Approximately 33 million of the 55 million voting Iranians cast their vote in the elections on Friday. This was announced by the Interior Ministry. The ministry had hoped for a turnout of at least 70 percent, but only 60 percent showed up. Iran Friday chose a new parliament of 290 seats and a supervisory board in the role of spiritual leader.

It is not yet clear whether the low turnout works out for reformers. The government of moderate President Hassan Rouhani attempts to reform the country, but most state institutions are still in the hands ultraconservative clerics. When the reformists strongly in parliament come forward, Rohani gets more leeway for his policies.

According to a website of an Iranian newspaper is already a third of the seats in parliament know who has won. More than half of those seats would go to reformist candidates. The Interior Ministry, however, did it off as speculation.