The Impact of Ethnic Identity Representation in Iranian Presidential Elections (1403): A Case Study of Ardabil, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan.

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Elaheh Sadeghi 1
Kosar Taleshi 2
1 Assistant Professor, Tarbiat Modares University
2 PhD student at Tarbiat Modares University
10.48311/psp.2025.114330.0
Abstract
This study aims to analyze and evaluate the vote shares of presidential candidates in the second round of Iran’s 1403(2024) presidential election, focusing on the impact of their ethnic-oriented positions in the provinces of Ardabil, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan. The central question explores how the representation of ethnic identity in the rhetoric of Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili influenced their vote shares in these regions. A quantitative content analysis method was employed, examining speeches, statements, and ethnic-related positions published in the national newspapers Etemad and Resalat, as well as their reflections in local provincial newspapers. The findings reveal a significant correlation between candidates’ ethnic affiliations and their vote shares. However, the mere use of ethnic slogans was not sufficient to influence voting outcomes; rather, the candidates’ ethnic belonging played a more decisive role. In the second round of the 1403 presidential election, Pezeshkian and Jalili emerged as the leading contenders. Ultimately, Pezeshkian secured a decisive victory, largely due to his ethnic affiliation combined with ethnic-oriented messaging, particularly in the Turkic- and Kurdish-speaking provinces of the north and northwest.

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