Iranian parliamentary polls started at 8 am on Friday and will end at 6 pm. Chairman of the State Electoral Commission Sulyat Murtazavi said that interior minister may prolong the voting process if needed.
About 3,500 candidates were registered with about 12 per seat. They need over 25% to win in the first round of vote. The second round is planned in April.
46062 polling stations were opened, 14307 of them are mobile.
Vote results will be announced in about 48-72 hours after March 2.
Iran is using electronic voting mechanism for the first time, available at 14 provinces.
About 50,000 observers monitor the process. 85,000 volunteers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are enforcing security.
Reformers were represented by only minor parties and independent candidates. Conservatives will outrun reformers. The favourite of the conservatives is the ultra-right United Front headed by Mohammedrza Mandavi Keni, Front of Stability of the Islamic Revolution headed by Ayatollah Mohammedtagi Misbah Yazdi, Resistance Front headed by Mohsin Rezai, Voice of People headed by Ali Mutahhari and Understanding and Revival headed by Shahabeddin Sadri are conservative.
The conservatives split into supporters and critics of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last spring. The Front for Continuation of the Islamic Revolution is supporting the president, Voice of Nation headed by Ali Motakhari and Hamid Reza Katuziyan are opposed. The next elections of executive authorities will be held in 2013, the incumbent president cannot run for third presidency.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei voted at electoral station N110.
Iran held previous parliamentary polls in June 2009. Ahmadinejad was re-elected, provoking opposition to protest. Disorders continued for the rest of 2009. The Interior Ministry and the Ministry for Information assured that there will be better security this year.
