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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Iran Elections Preview
HEAD: Iran Votes in First Election Since Mass Protest Crackdowns
SUBHEAD: Iranian leaders urge voters to participate as analysts predict record-low turnout.
PUBLISHED: Thursday, 02/29/2024, 1:53 pm
BYLINE: Heather Murdock
CONTRIBUTORS:
DATELINE: ISTANBUL
VIDEOGRAPHER: Zoom
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, wpm
VIDEO SOURCE S: AP, AFP, REUTERS, VOA (Zoom interviews only)
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X 12
TRT: 3:18
VID APPROVED BY: sb
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: WITH THE VIDEO I WILL FILE THE SCIRPT WITH NOTES ON WHERE EACH CLIP IS FROM))
((INTRO))
[[Iranian voters go to the polls Friday to choose members of parliament. The elections are the first since the crackdown of mass protests in 2022. Some Iranians are expected to participate in the polling while others are expected to heed the calls of activists to boycott the vote because, they say, government critics have been effectively banned from the ballot. VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Istanbul.]]
((VIDEO: IRAN PROTESTS, ELECTION RUN-UP, IRAN STREETS))
((NARRATOR:))
((NARRATOR))
((AP: 00:00:00-00:06:27))
On Friday, Iran holds its first parliamentary election since mass protests led by
((AFP: 00:06:27-00:18:06))
women and young adults were crushed in a nationwide crackdown in 2022. More than 22,000 people were detained and 500 were killed.
((REUTERS: 00:18:06-00:31:11))
In the run up to the vote, Iranian leaders urged the public to participate, as dissidents called for a boycott after the mass disqualification of candidates who were not members of conservative, pro-government parties.
((AFP: 00:31:11-00:45:24))
Statisticians predict a historically low turnout at the ballot. Analysts say many people will not vote because they view their choice not to participate as a way to challenge the government’s legitimacy.
((FOR RADIO: This is Naysan Rafati, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Iran.))
((Naysan Rafati, International Crisis Group)) ((Male in English)) ((VIA ZOOM))
“Critics of the system, say that, look, you know, what's the point of even engaging in this process that is not going to result in any meaningful changes or allow for much diversity of views? And because the system is so adamant on participation rates as a metric for its legitimacy, a boycott would basically take away that claim.”
((VIDEO: IRAN GOVERNMENT, KHAMENEI))
((NARRATOR))
((REUTERS: 01:15:01-01:32:21))
These elections will decide members of Iran’s 290-seat parliament and its 88-seat Assembly of Experts, the governmental body expected to choose the country’s next Supreme Leader, as current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approaches his 85th birthday.
((FOR RADIO: Again, here is Rafati:))
((Naysan Rafati, International Crisis Group)) ((Male in English)) ((VIA ZOOM))
“The position of the supreme leader—it's in the name—ultimately has a profound influence over the country's domestic and foreign policy as the ultimate arbiter, as the ultimate finger on the scales of what decisions the president and the parliament and the national security council take.”
((VIDEO: CANDIDATES, PROTESTS, PUBLIC, MARKETS))
((NARRATOR))
((AFP: 01:52:12-02:27:09))
Because reformist candidates have been virtually eliminated from the ballot, he says, Iran’s next supreme leader is expected to maintain the government’s conservative or hardline stance.
But for many Iranians, the demands of protesters during the unrest in 2022 that was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody remain un-answered. Besides issues of personal freedom and sustenance, Iran’s economic crisis has led to widespread discontent.
((FOR RADIO: Benedict Vigers is a consultant for Gallup World Poll and the lead author of Thursday’s report: “Iran Votes: Lukewarm on Leadership, Cool on Economy.”
((Benedict Vigers, Gallup World Poll)) ((Male in English)) ((VIA ZOOM))
“In 2023, just 15% of Iranians said that it was a good time to find a job in their area, while 80% said it wasn't a good time to find a job. And a further 61% say when asked how they're finding life on their present household income, 61% of Iranians say that they are currently finding it difficult or very difficult to get by on their present incomes.”
((VIDEO: IRAN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, PROTESTS))
((NARRATOR))
((AFP 02:55:10-03:05:05))
He says that in recent years, Iran has seen roughly 40% inflation and more and more young people say they wish to travel abroad for their futures.
((REUTERS 03:05:05-03:23:03))
Other analysts say while the upcoming elections are not expected to usher in any immediate sweeping changes, it can be expected that protest movements will arise again.
((Heather Murdock, VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 29, 2024 14:09 EST
BylineHeather Murdock
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
