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Will Iranians be able to increase voter turnout in the next election?

Even though Iran's Reformist movement suffered a huge setback during the election qualification process, Reformist leaders are encouraging members to cast their votes.
File photo taken May 28, 2013 shows former Iranian Vice President and former presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref, who has withdrawn from the presidential race. The Iranian presidential election will be held June 14. REUTERS/Fars News (POLITICS ELECTIONS PROFILE) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX10KSJ

Despite the mass disqualifications of Reformist candidates by the conservative Guardian Council for the February parliamentary elections, leaders of the Iran Reformist bloc are encouraging members to turn out and vote.

Mohammad Reza Aref, head of the Reformist Policymaking Council, wrote a letter to Reformist young people Jan. 27 encouraging “maximum participation” in the elections. As reported earlier, only 30 of the 3,000 Reformists who registered to run were approved.

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