- Dozens of moderate and reformist Iranian politicians have been blocked by the government from running for office in the upcoming June presidential election
- Iran’s electoral body disqualified the candidates, nearly all moderates and reformists, to ensure exclusive participation by those loyal to the ruling mullahs
- However, observers note that by eliminating moderates the voter turnout might be reduced, tarnishing the legitimacy of the presumed victor
TEHRAN, Iran: Dozens of moderate and reformist Iranian politicians have been blocked by the government from running for office in the upcoming June presidential election.
Iran’s electoral body disqualified the candidates, nearly all moderates and reformists, to ensure exclusive participation by those loyal to the ruling mullahs.
Eliminating moderates ensures victory for Ebrahim Raisi, a leading hard-line cleric who was defeated in the 2017 election.
However, observers note that by eliminating moderates the voter turnout might be reduced, tarnishing the legitimacy of the presumed victor.
“It seems the hard-liners’ plan to fully monopolize power in their hands very much overshadows any desire to present elections in the Islamic Republic as proof of the system’s legitimacy,” said Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a scholar affiliated with Freie Universitt Berlin, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.
Besides reformists and moderates, Iran’s Guardian Council, which approves all election candidates, also disqualified scores of establishment insiders. Most notable was Ali Larijani, a former parliament speaker for 12 years, who was seen as the main contender against Raisi.
Though Larijani is a conservative, he is also seen as being sympathetic to the moderates.
The current president, Hassan Rouhani, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
The Guardian Council consists of six clerics appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and six jurists presented for approval to the parliament by the head of the judiciary. The head of the judiciary is also picked by the supreme leader.
