How COVID shaped preparations for Iran’s presidential elections

Coronavirus will not be the main reason behind the expected low turnout but it had a big effect on the lead-up.

Tehran, Iran – Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in Iran on Friday as the country continues to battle a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Iran, with the deadliest outbreak in the Middle East, has reported more than three million cases, including 82,000 deaths. A fourth wave of infections was reported shortly after tens of millions of Iranians were allowed domestic travel for the Nowruz new year holidays in late March and new strains of the virus found their way into the country.