Iranians began voting today in a parliamentary election that conservatives are expected to win.
A number of pro-reform politicians, the staunchest critics of the hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, were disqualified from the race in a pre-vote screening process that has narrowed the field.
But Iran's conservative camp includes allies of the president, critics of his economic policies, and those looking beyond this election to the presidential race next year.
Reformists seeking political and social change had hoped to capitalise on public discontent about inflation, now at 19 per cent. However, after the vetting process they may struggle to keep the 40 or so seats they hold in the 290-seat assembly now.
Parliament does not decide on major policy issues such as how to handle Iran's standoff with the West in which Washington accuses Tehran of having secret plans to build nuclear weapons.
But food prices, not foreign policy, are what most ordinary people worry about in the world's fourth-largest oil producing country.
The election may offer pointers on Mr Ahmadinejad's chances for re-election in 2009, although that may depend more on whether he retains the approval of Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has heaped praise on him.
"People in choosing parliamentarians should also consider . . . voting for those who can pave the way for the current government which is active and willing to serve," Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted as saying in the Kargozarannewspaper.
Analysts say the vote will only give a partial picture of Mr Ahmadinejad's popularity after the unelected Guardian Council, which checks hopefuls for commitment to Islam and other criteria, barred many reformists. The council denies bias.
Reformists say the election is unfair but have still urged Iran's 44 million eligible voters to turn out.