DUBAI: Iranians voted on Friday in a run-off parliamentary election that could establish a new balance between Iran's top leader and its president in the legislative assembly.
State television reported that polling stations in 33 constituencies, including the capital Tehran, opened to voters at 8 a.m. (0430 GMT). They are due to close at 6 p.m. (1430GMT), although officials have said the time could be extended.
Some 65 seats from the 290-member assembly are up for grabs, after loyalists to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei won a majority at the expense of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the first round. Khamenei called for a high turnout in Friday's second round.
The election result will have a bearing on the country's 2013 presidential election. The election result will have a bearing on the country's 2013 presidential election.
Turnout in the first round of parliamentary election was 64 percent. The interior ministry has said final results were expected within 24 hours after the polls close.