Iran's Guardian Council Spokesman Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei says the body has approved qualification of 73% of Majlis-election nominees.

Kadkhodaei told reporters Saturday that of 7,597 hopefuls of the 8th Majlis (Parliament) elections, the Guardian Council has so far approved qualifications of 5,538.

Qualifications of 2,059 (some 27 percent) hopefuls have not been confirmed, he noted, adding that figures were changing but the final list would be presented to the Interior Ministry by March 3.

The spokesman stated that 106 nominees have called for having their constituencies changed.

He expressed hope that the Iranian nation would massively participate in the 8th Majlis elections, slated to be held across the country on March 24.

SF/GM