Iran's official IRNA news agency reports that nearly 14,000 people have registered to run for office in the country's parliamentary elections in February.

The Saturday report said the exact number would be announced Sunday but already the number of potential candidates was 15% more than in the 2016 parliamentary election, when some 12,000 registered to run.

Only 4% have served as a lawmaker in parliament in the past and some 9% are female hopefuls.

The elections will be a gauge of the popularity of moderate and reformist camps that President Hassan Rouhani represents after November unrest over government-set gas prices.

A constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, vets and must approve those wishing to run in the elections for 290 seats.



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