Iran votes in vital elections after nuclear deal

Iranians began voting across the country on Feb. 26 in elections billed by the moderate president as vital to curbing conservative dominance in parliament and speeding up domestic reforms after a nuclear deal with world powers.

A pro-government coalition called "The List of Hope" is representing President Hassan Rouhani's ambitions in the polls. Almost 55 million people are eligible to cast ballots that will ultimately elect 290 lawmakers.
 
They will also vote in a second election to select the Assembly of Experts, a powerful committee of 88 clerics that monitors the work of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
 
While MPs are elected for four years the assembly will be granted an eight-year term. Should Khamenei, who is 76, die during that time its members would pick his successor.
 
Voting started at 8am (0430 GMT) and will close at 6pm although officials say polling stations could stay open if there are queues and more time is needed to cast ballots.
 
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cast his vote early Feb. 26 morning in a televised ceremony and urged everyone to do so "quickly, as it's both a duty and a right".
 
"Everyone must vote, those who love Iran, those who like the Islamic Republic, those who love the grandeur and glory of Iran," he told a state television reporter after casting his vote.
 
"We have enemies. Elections should be such that make the enemy disappointed. We must vote with insight and open eyes."  

As Iran's ultimate authority, Khamenei's powers outrank those of Rouhani, but the president is looking for gains in parliament to allow him to build on the nuclear deal by bringing improvements at home.
 
The economy has featured strongly during the...