The story: A state-linked polling agency has projected that most eligible voters will not cast ballots in Iran’s upcoming parliamentary elections. This comes as Reformist outlets have warned of the public’s reluctance to vote given the apparent "streamlining" of candidates in favor of hardliners, among other issues in the country.

While the Islamic Republic has long hailed high voter turnout as proof of its legitimacy, it remains to be seen whether it will acknowledge the current trajectory as a serious problem.

The coverage: The head of the state-run Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) in a Nov. 27 interview disclosed details of a recent survey by the ACECR-run Iranian Students...