Iran conservatives set to tighten grip on power

IRAN'S Islamic conservatives were poised to tighten their grip on power by winning controversial parliamentary polls and sweeping out a frustrated and largely disqualified reformist majority.

With most reformist candidates barred from standing and public indifference widespread, the only element of suspense was how many of Iran's 46.3 million eligible voters would turn out.

The conservatives were expected to reverse the crushing reformist majority and add parliament to the political and security institutions they already control in the 25-year-old Islamic republic.