Iran is set to hold a parliamentary election on March 1, with over 61 million of its citizens eligible to vote. They are also asked to decide who will sit on the Council of Experts, a body which chooses the country's supreme leader, currently held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media says some 15,200 candidates are competing for the 290 parliamentary seats.

"Most of the candidates, particularly in small constituencies, are doctors, engineers, civil servants, and teachers who are not affiliated with any political group," journalist Maziar Khosravi told AFP, a French news agency. By allowing such candidates to run, the government "wants to create local competition and increase participation" in the polls.

And yet, only about 30% of adult Iranians plan to take part in the election, according to a survey conducted by a government-friendly institute and published by the Azar Qalam news agency. This percentage drops to 15 in Iran's capital Tehran. The survey's respondents say their main reasons for staying at home are perceived corruption and incompetence among lawmakers, as well as little hope for a better future.

The election campaign officially started on........

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