Number of Iran Parliament hopefuls hits record high

More than 11,500 Iranian hopefuls have registered to contest the country’s tenth parliamentary elections, which is to be held next February.

Up 70 percent from the previous elections in 2012, the number of the hopefuls is also the highest in the country since the 1979 victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. The aspirants had until Friday to sign up for the polls.

Women comprised 11 percent of the individuals who signed up.

The hopefuls will be vetted by the Guardian Council, which is tasked with deciding on their competence. The council is slated to publish the names of those qualified to contest on February 9.

After securing the body’s approval, the remaining hopefuls would compete for the 290 seats in the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) on February 26.

On the same day, the Iranian electorate will participate in the fifth election for members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a body that elects Iran’s Leader.

Members of the Assembly are elected every eight years. This will be the first time the two polls coincide.

Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has organized more than 30 votes at the national level.