Elections in democratic political systems serve as a key indicator for assessing the dynamism of political life and the extent of citizens’ active or passive participation. Within the framework of the religious democracy established after the Islamic Revolution, political participation is considered not only a civil right but also a symbol of the continuity of political authority and the enduring connection between the state and society. The significant decline in voter turnout in Tehran 33% in the 1403 (2024) presidential election and 24% in the 1402 (2023) parliamentary election reflects a state of cognitive inertia and weakened political perception that requires comprehensive analytical exploration.

This research was conducted using a qualitative method within an interpretive analytical approach and through the grounded theory strategy. Data were collected via eighteen semi‑structured interviews with professors and experts in the fields of political science, communication studies, and sociology, as well as through specialized scholarly sessions. The data were analyzed through the processes of open, axial, and selective coding

The findings indicate that the core phenomenon at play is “cognitive disruption within the context of accumulated unresolved crises.” In this condition, the persistence of economic crises, weak institutional accountability, and distorted media narratives have led to a perceptual rupture between the state and society, deepening political disengagement. Within this framework, generational gaps, identity crises, and the erosion of social capital act as contextual factors, while the hostile representations of foreign media serve as intervening variables that exacerbatepolitical distrust. Reconstructing political perception through institutional transparency, strengthenedaccountability,