Tehran — a metropolis with 7.8 million inhabitants, 22 districts and 354 neighborhoods — conducted its fourth set of neighborhood council elections in March. More than 13,000 candidates ran for office, and according to high-ranking municipality officials, the number is a significant increase compared with 2009 elections. Still, although voter turnout was significant, there are doubts about the effectiveness of the councils in the framework of urban policymaking.
Ali Babaei, mayor of Tehran's district 6, said in an interview with Iranian media that "a significant increase in the number of candidates compared with past rounds is a sign of intense competition among people to help each other and also to improve urban management."
