Many young Iranians to shun polls, citing grim future

[democratic]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/061705dnintiranyouth.17d9de37.html

'It doesn't make any difference who wins'

08:39 PM CDT on Thursday, June 16, 2005

By REESE ERLICH / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

"We don't talk about elections much," he said. "It's a chaotic country. It doesn't make any difference who wins."

About 60 percent of Iranians are under 30, and young voters played a decisive role in electing reformist President Mohammad Khatami in 1997 and 2001.

Disappointed with the slow pace of change, however, many young Iranians say they may stay home today, election day.

"I don't think I will get the chance to work in a government agency," said one political science student who declined to give his name. "People are ideologically questioned. There's no hope for the future."