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Low election turnout raises concerns about the legitimacy of Iran's regime
President Hassan Rouhani casts his ballot in the parliamentary elections at the interior ministry in Tehran, Iran, last Friday

THE historically low turnout during the Iranian elections has once again raised concerns about the legitimacy of the regime.

Conservative hardliners declared a victory following Friday’s elections, but democracy advocates warned on Monday that polling stations were quiet in contrast to previous elections.

A turnout of just over 40 per cent was recorded by the government, but historically the country has had an average turnout of over 70 per cent.

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