For more than two decades, Hossein Yazdi, a political activist, has campaigned in Iranian presidential elections, determined to bring about change in the conservative theocratic state.

But now, 42-year-old Yazdi, who was born a few months before the revolution that created the Islamic republic in 1979, has all but given up. This time round, he will not be putting up posters or knocking on doors explaining the merits of his preferred candidate. He will not even vote.

Like many younger activists, he has become disillusioned with politics and the line-up of candidates for the June 18 election has only reinforced this sense of hopelessness. Leading moderate candidates have been barred and the two reform candidates have yet to gain momentum. With centrist president Hassan Rouhani due to step down after two terms, the hardline frontrunner and judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, should win easily if turnout is low, according to analysts.