Clerics block moderates, reformists from running in June elections
Robert Besser
02 Jun 2021, 21:27 GMT+10
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.
Cleric set to be elected Iranian president as moderates off ballot
02 Jun 2021, 21:27 GMT+10
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.