"Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)"
1
PhD student , Political Science, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran.Iran
2
Associate Professor , Political Science, Tehran University, Tehran.Iran
10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719
Abstract
This research examines the pattern of electoral participation among Iranian ethnic groups by analyzing thirteen presidential election cycles (1979–2021). Data were extracted from the Statistical Yearbook of the Ministry of Interior, focusing on provinces with Kurdish, Turkish, and Luri majorities. The electoral participation pattern was operationalized using two indicators—participation rate and participation trend—and analyzed through secondary analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that participation in provinces with similar ethnic compositions fluctuates significantly and does not follow a consistent pattern. Moreover, ethnic groups' electoral participation has in most cases been equal to or higher than the national average. The participation trend also converges across different ethnic groups, with line graphs showing no meaningful divergence or conflict. These patterns suggest that electoral behavior in Iran is supra-ethnic and structural. This behavior is shaped less by ethnic loyalties and more by macro-political issues, the overall electoral atmosphere, the degree of competitiveness, economic variables, and national security considerations. Consequently, many ethnicity-centered analyses face serious challenges, while the institutional approach and rational choice theory are proposed as more suitable frameworks for explaining such behavior. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms generating this cohesion and on identifying macro-level factors that exert greater influence than ethnicity.
ghanbari adivi, M. & Abolhasani, S. R. (2026). "Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)". (e21981). Political Strategic Studies, (), e21981 https://doi.org/10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719
MLA
ghanbari adivi, M., & Abolhasani, S. R. ""Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)"" .e21981 , Political Strategic Studies, , 2026, e21981. doi: 10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719
HARVARD
ghanbari adivi, M., & Abolhasani, S. R. (2026). '"Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)"', Political Strategic Studies, (), e21981. doi: 10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719
CHICAGO
ghanbari adivi, M. & Abolhasani, S. R., ""Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)"." Political Strategic Studies, (2026): e21981, doi: 10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719
VANCOUVER
ghanbari adivi M., Abolhasani S. R. "Investigating the Pattern of Electoral Participation of Ethnic Groups in the Presidential Elections of Iran (First to Thirteenth Terms of Presidential Elections)". Political Strategic Studies. 2026;():e21981 (In Persian). doi: 10.22054/qpss.2026.90024.3719