Polls open in Iran's parliamentary election

Millions of Iranians went to the polls on Friday as the country began voting for a new parliament. Around 7,000 candidates are running in 208 constituencies for the 290-seat chamber, state TV reported.

But thousands of other potential candidates, most of them reformists and moderates, were disqualified from standing n, raising the possibility of a lower-than-usual turnout.

The turnout is seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership at the time of a sanctions-linked economic downturn and diplomatic isolation.

The election is being held at a time of growing economic hardship since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal.

The economic woes faced by ordinary Iranians fuelled anti-government protests in November.

Nearly 58 million Iranians, out of a population of more than 80 million, are eligible to vote.

Every Iranian above the age of 18 can vote.

Turnout has been over 50% in previous parliamentary elections.

In 2016, it was nearly 62%.