Most leaflets had the Iranian flag painted on them. A retired army officer, Mohsen Zainali, who was running as an independent candidate, put out an electoral statement that was widely distributed in the demonstration held on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. His statement was about how to solve the widespread unemployment in Iran. Many people in the demonstration dismissed this right-wing statement with laughter. But it reflects the fact that Iran like any other capitalist country under the present world crisis is not immune to developing right-wing currents.
Most people are very happy about the election results.
What they enjoy the most is that they have found a way to express their opinions without fearing victimization. They cast a protest vote without any worries about becoming known and identified as some one opposing the ruling view. According to official reports, about 10 million eligible voters did not participate in the elections. No report has been put out about the composition of the nonvoters. Two workers told this correspondent that they would not vote because those who win will not represent their interests.