A record number of candidates, about 12,000, have registered for taking part in the coming parliamentary elections in Iran.

“More than 11,500 Iranian hopefuls have registered to contest the country’s tenth parliamentary elections, which is to be held next February,” Press TV, TV channel covering the election campaign says.  

“Women comprised 11 percent of the individuals who signed up,” the channel reports.

5405 candidates registered in the last elections held in 2012, but only 3323 of them were allowed to take part in the elections.  As a result of the voting, nine women were elected MPs, RIA Novosti reports.

The Iranian Parliament (Majlis) elections are slated for February 26. The new parliament will have 290 MPs, which will be elected for four years.