Iranian voters line up as they wait for a polling station to open in Tehran,  Feb 21, 2020. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)

TEHRAN - Voting began for Iran's parliamentary election on Friday as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was seen casting the first vote on state television.  

Nearly 58 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the parliamentary election, during which lawmakers for the 290-seat chamber will be elected

"The election safeguards the interests of the country," the Ayatollah said, urging the nation to actively participate in the polls and calling the election day as a "national celebration."

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Nearly 58 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the parliamentary election, during which lawmakers for the 290-seat chamber will be elected.

Out of the total, 2.9 million are potential first-time voters. The voting age in Iran has been 18 since January 2007.