(6 Mar 1996) Farsi/Nat
The US-based human rights group Human Right Watch has criticised Iran for barring many opposition candidates from entering Friday's parliamentary elections.
The polls are restricted to mainly extreme and more moderate fundamentalists.
But they are important as they are being seen as an indicator of next year's presidential elections.
Iran goes to the polls Friday to elect a new parliament.
For Western nations, the election is important.
It will set the tone for next year's presidential elections when President Hasemi Rafsanjani is required to step down after his second four-year term.
But Friday's polls have been criticised as they're restricted to mostly moderates and Islamic hardliners.
Other would-be candidates - including independents and opposition figures who favour more contact with the West - have been barred from running.
Still, ordinary Iranians believe the election is important, even though it is unlikely to change their lives.
VOXPOP:
"This is the national duty and very important for our country."
SUPER CAPTION: student
VOXPOP:
"Yes, I will participate in the election, it is very important for Iranians."
SUPER CAPTION: Iranian woman
VOXPOP: (Iranian)
"I will participate because it is a national duty."
SUPER CAPTION: Iranian man
VOXPOP:
"I will participate because members (of parliament) are to decide the fate of our people."
SUPER CAPTION: Iranian man
Shi-ite Muslim clergymen have ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic election.
Various factions exist but they are all - although some to slightly lesser degrees - fundamentalists.
Friday's elections represent a battle between these fundamentalists.
Revolutionary zeal is wearing thin for ordinary Iranians suffering economic problems due to mismanagement of the country's vast oil reserves - so it seems likely the moderates may win.
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