Iran Press/ Iran news: The polls opened across Iran at 8 a.m. local time (04:30) on Friday with more than 61 million people eligible to vote across the country.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cast his ballot at a polling station in Tehran in the first minutes of voting.
“We ask the Almighty God to make today a happy day for the Iranian nation and that the results of the efforts of our dear people and those involved in the various issues of the elections may reach the desired results and benefit the Iranian nation," he said after voting.
Referring to the holy verse of the Holy Quran The Leader repeated his recommendation to the voters in the previous elections to head to the polls and vote as early as possible while saying "So compete with one another in doing good".
"The second recommendation is to vote for as many people as it needs, not fewer, in any constituency. For example, in Tehran, vote for 30 people in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and 16 people in the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership," he added.
Iran's Leader then went on to state: "Today the world's eyes are focusing on you and want to know what you are doing."
The Leader concluded: "Good deeds need no hesitation."
Voters are taking part in the parliamentary elections to choose 290 members of the legislative body from over 15,000 candidates. Elected members will serve for a term of four years in the parliament.
In another election being held simultaneously, participants are voting for 88 members of the Assembly of Experts, a body with an eight-year mandate that is in charge of overseeing the activities of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and is in a position of authority to either appoint or dismiss the Leader.
Article Six of the Iranian Constitution reiterates that the administration of the affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran should be based on the public opinion expressed by the means of elections.
Iran has held 40 rounds of different elections, including presidential and parliamentary ones, since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. 204
Read more:
Leader casts his vote as big elections in Iran officially start
Iranian parliamentary, assembly of experts elections kicks off
