The vote, which began at 8 a.m. local time and is to continue till 6 p.m. unless it is extended due to heavy turnout, is seen as a referendum on the nuclear deal pressed by President Hassan Rouhani. In the election his allies will try to gain control of the Majlis parliament from "hardliners" who opposed the deal, with results likely to effect Rouhani's shot at re-election in 2017.
Aside from the 290 MPs being picked for four-year terms, 88 clerics will be chosen by the public for the Assembly of Experts, where members serve eight-year terms and can choose or dismiss the supreme leader. (READ MORE)
