Iran Presidential Race Dominated by Conservatives

The line up for the Iran Presidential Race, to be held on Friday in Iran, is dominated by conservative politicians. A total of 686 candidates filed for candidacy for the top position of the land, including 30 women aspirants. However, only eight candidates were allowed to run by the Guardian Council of the Constitution of Iran. This is the 12-member authority body composed of six Majlish-selected jurists and six experts on Islamic law selected by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The highest elected official of Iran

Iran’s presidential elections on June 14 will elect the 17th president of the country, the second most important person in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The President of Iran is the highest official who is directly elected by Iranian citizens. Around 44 million voters are expected to vote on Election Day. A candidate who fails to get 50% of votes in the first round would need to participate again in a runoff on June 21.

All the candidates in the presidential race are supporters of Iran’s nuclear power ambitions and all are under the influence of the highest religious and political figure of the land, the Supreme Leader who makes key decisions on foreign policy as well as Iran’s nuclear program. The Supreme Leader is not elected by the people but selected by an assembly.

A mostly conservative lineup

Incumbent President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not allowed to run again this year, much to the relief of his counterparts in the West. This is based on the provisions of the 1979 Constitution of Iran. Two candidates withdrew from the race putting the final number at six mostly ultra-conservative presidential hopefuls.

A couple of the candidates who possess the mindset to challenge Iran’s military and religious leaders were not allowed to run by the Guardian Council. These candidates are Ahmadinejad ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and former President Ali Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Campaign mode

With just a day before the polls open, Tehran is in full gear. Avid supporters and campaigners are still hot on the trail as Friday approaches. A number of marches and rallies have been initiated, and the capital city’s walls are wearing political posters for decorations.

Four years ago, when the last presidential election was held, there were more protests as thousands of Iranians took to the streets. This year, the voters may be too preoccupied and worried about the stalled economy to organize massive street protests. The government of Iran is also doing its best to prevent the breaking out of mass demonstrations similar to the protests that occurred before and after the 2009 elections.

Televised debates

Rhetoric flowed and a shower of personal invective as well in three televised debates that featured the presidential candidates last week. However, no solutions were offered with regard to the country’s continued diplomatic isolation.

There was also no discussion on policy issues and no suggestions on how to improve the economic situation in Iran. Due to sanctions from the West coupled with government economic mismanagement, problems of unemployment, inflation and rising food prices have taken its toll on the population.

Photo Credit: Campaign rally of one of the presidential aspirants in Iran