Investigating the role of non-governmental organizations in electoral participation in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Case study of Isfahan city 1402)

Panahi Bazargah, Mahin; Malaekeh, Hassan; Seddigh, Mirebrahim

doi:10.22034/ipsa.2026.566

Investigating the role of non-governmental organizations in electoral participation in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Case study of Isfahan city 1402)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

mahin panahi bazargah ¹

Hassan Malaekeh ²

mirebrahim seddigh ³

¹ Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Isfahan, Iran,

² Department of Political Science, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza, Iran.

³ Department of Political Science, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/ipsa.2026.566

Abstract

This study investigates the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in electoral participation in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) elections in Isfahan, drawing on the political participation theories of Verba and Dahl. Verba conceptualizes political participation as voluntary behavior aimed at influencing public decision-making, ranging from voting to protest activities, while Dahl highlights the plurality of power and the significance of groups and civil institutions in accessing governance. Both perspectives underscore the role of NGOs as vehicles for educating citizens, mobilizing participation, and representing public interests. The research employs a quantitative survey design. The statistical population comprises citizens who are members of NGOs in Isfahan. Using Cochran’s formula, 384 respondents were selected through quota sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire with confirmed face validity (Lawshe’s coefficient = 0.71) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70).The findings demonstrate that the type of NGO activities (β = 0.113), reliance on NGOs (β = 0.164), and legal actions of NGOs (β = 0.41) significantly explained direct political participation. Model fit indices confirmed the robustness and appropriateness of the empirical model.Overall, the study concludes that electoral participation—particularly interactive participation—is shaped by the interplay of institutional, social, and cognitive resources. The interaction of these dimensions provides a sustainable mechanism for fostering political participation.

Keywords

Electoral Participation

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Reliance on NGOs

Political Awareness

NGO Activities