Most Reformists Rejected From Running For Parliament In Iran

[Madali]

Election is a ridicules joke in our country.lets not fool ourselves.

Then don't vote. I vote because I believe in it

 

[raptor22]

Then don't vote. I vote because I believe in it

Your reply is not logical, he believes that the mechanism of election in Iran doesn't seem to be fair and your answer is not to participate ... I bet yea it ain't gonna work in this way ...

 

[Madali]

Your reply is not logical, he believes that the mechanism of election in Iran doesn't seem to be fair and your answer is not to participate ... I bet yea it ain't gonna work in this way ...

Well, his statement was "Election is a ridicules joke in our country". To the people who do participate every election, it is obviously not "a ridiculous joke"

 

[bozorgmehr]

Iranian President: Mass Candidate Ban Could Make Elections Pointless
By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL

Iran's president has criticized the mass disqualification of candidates in next month's parliamentary elections, suggesting the decision could make the vote pointless. The comments by Hassan Rohani signaled continuing tensions between the president, who has presented himself as a moderate, and powerful hard-liners who control key bodies in the Islamic republic.

President Hassan Rohani speaking at the governors gathering in Tehran, January 22, 2016

Rohani made the comments following reports that the powerful Guardians Council had barred about 60 percent of candidates from running in the February 26 vote.

Reformers, who were hoping to make a comeback in the upcoming vote, have said that only 1 percent of their hopefuls have been allowed to stand in the vote for the 290-seat Majlis.

“If only one faction is present in the vote, and the other is not, then why are we holding elections?” Rohani was quoted as saying on January 21 in a meeting in Tehran.

Another pro-reform politician, Hossein Marashi, said over the weekend that only 30 out of 3,000 reformist candidates have been qualified to run.

The Majlis, which is elected every four years, has the power to draft and debate legislation, which must be formally approved by the president before becoming law.

In practice, however, unelected bodies like the Guardians Council, which is made up of six clerics and six jurists, hold vast power over what legislation gets passed and gets the final word on who can run in elections.

It's been unclear why the council has moved to strike so many candidates from the elections, though in the past it has disqualified pro-reform candidates and those who are not deemed fully loyal to the clerical establishment and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Disqualified candidates Ashrafi Esfahani and Ali Motahari

In addition to reformers, some conservatives have been also barred from running, including outspoken lawmaker Ali Motahari, who's been critical of the house arrest of opposition figures.

"The parliament is the house of the nation, not the house of one faction," Rohani said in a January 21 speech to governors and election officials.

"Let's allow the house of the nation to truly reflect our nation and belong to all people," he said.

Supreme Intervention?

Those who have been disqualified can appeal against the decision and, in recent days, Iranian media have published some of the appeal letters by those disqualified.

Former Culture Minister and presidential candidate Mostafa Moeen said the decision to bar him went against Iran's constitution and national interests.

Rohani has reportedly assigned Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri to discuss the disqualifications with the Guardians Council, and Amir Mohebbian, a well-known political analyst aligned with hard-liners, said Rohani could ask Iran's supreme leader to intervene.

"Rohani could use his prestige and, for example, ask the leader to use his status regarding the disqualifications," Mohebbian was quoted as saying by the news site Fararu.com. "But whether the demand will be achieved is another issue."

2nd Congress of Nedaye Iranian reformist party in Tehran, January 21, 2016

Another Tehran-based political analyst, Sadegh Zibakalam, said the disqualifications have been so extensive that even some "moderate conservatives" are concerned that it would undermine the vote's legitimacy.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Aref, a reformist politician and former presidential candidate, said he's hopeful that some of the banned candidates will be allowed to run. Aref is among the very few reformists who've been reportedly approved by the Guardians Council.

"So far, we've had good discussions with the Guardians Council and others; I'm hopeful in the review of the disqualifications," Aref was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, Khamenei called on all Iranian citizens, even those who don't accept him and the clerical establishment, to vote in the February elections, which will also select members of the Assembly of Experts -- which is in charge of picking the country's next supreme leader.

Iranian President: Mass Candidate Ban Could Make Elections Pointless

Then don't vote. I vote because I believe in it

Madali jan, then it's your way or the highway? You know, Reza Shah believed they same thing when he forced kashf-e Hejab on Iranains. It's funny how little we've changed. As @Daneshmand says, we still have a long way to go. But I personally think we should start soon...

 

[Madali]

Madali jan, then it's your way or the highway? You know, Reza Shah believed they same thing when he forced kashf-e Hejab on Iranains. It's funny how little we've changed. As @Daneshmand says, we still have a long way to go. But I personally think we should start soon...

As I mentioned in my previous post, it's because he said "Election is a ridicules joke in our country"

A lot of Iranians vote. Our turnover is higher than western countries. This means that the people who do vote assume it matters. Then, don't you think its offensive to the people who DO vote to say "Election is a ridicules joke in our country"?

 

[bozorgmehr]

As I mentioned in my previous post, it's because he said "Election is a ridicules joke in our country"

A lot of Iranians vote. Our turnover is higher than western countries. This means that the people who do vote assume it matters. Then, don't you think its offensive to the people who DO vote to say "Election is a ridicules joke in our country"?

No I don't think taking offense is justified. I do plenty of things that I consider ridiculous, myself. But I choose to do them, because the alternative seems worse. It's a choice that we make. It doesn't invalidate our criticisms of it. Just because I'm forced to eat Ghormeh Sabzi, it doesn't meant I wouldn't want to have Gheimeh.

 

[Madali]

No I don't think taking offense is justified. I do plenty of things that I consider ridiculous, myself. But I choose to do them, because the alternative seems worse. It's a choice that we make. It doesn't invalidate our criticisms of it. Just because I'm forced to eat Ghormeh Sabzi, it doesn't meant I wouldn't want to have Gheimeh.

There is a difference between "the election process can be improved upon" and "the process is a ridiculous joke" like there is a difference between "I prefer gheimeh to ghormeh sabzi" and "This ghormeh sabzi is absolutely disgusting!!"

While everyone else is enjoying the ghormeh sabzi.

 

[bozorgmehr]

There is a difference between "the election process can be improved upon" and "the process is a ridiculous joke" like there is a difference between "I prefer gheimeh to ghormeh sabzi" and "This ghormeh sabzi is absolutely disgusting!!"

While everyone else is enjoying the ghormeh sabzi.

Not if Ghormez sabzi is being forced down your throat....

 

[kollang]

Then don't vote. I vote because I believe in it

Most people believe they have to choose between bad,worse and worst.but actually "not choosing" is also a choice which might be even the best.

Last ridicules presidency election for instance, most people voted for Rohani in order to prevent anti-west hardliners from taking more power. no one actually knew who he is.

If the majority insist on a ridicules choice that doesnt justify what they do.if this is an insult.let it be.

 

[raptor22]

Well, his statement was "Election is a ridicules joke in our country". To the people who do participate every election, it is obviously not "a ridiculous joke"

Then we should take some concrete measures to bring trust to this part of the society ... Iran belongs to all of us ,,

 

[Madali]

Not if Ghormez sabzi is being forced down your throat....

Sure, but voting is not forced. It is a choice.

Most people believe they have to choose between bad,worse and worst.but actually "not choosing" is also a choice which might be even the best.

Last ridicules presidency election for instance, most people voted for Rohani in order to prevent anti-west hardliners from taking more power. no one actually knew who he is.

If the majority insist on a ridicules choice that doesnt justify what they do.if this is an insult.let it be.

I want to highlight your last line. "If the majority insist on a ridicules choice that doesnt justify what they do" Actually, yes, in a democratic system, that's exactly what it means. If the majority insist on a stupid law, and then they choose representatives who will bring about that law, and then that law becomes the law of the country, that's democracy in its purest form.

Then we should take some concrete measures to bring trust to this part of the society ... Iran belongs to all of us ,,

I agree, but as one doesn't alienate the majority to appease a few naysayers.

 

[bozorgmehr]

Sure, but voting is not forced. It is a choice.

Well, that's rich!!! Islamists eliminate 99% (2970/3000) of the candidates that mildly disagree with them. And then when you say something, they tell you you're not forced to vote.

Let me ask you something. Do you believe that Iran belongs to the Iranian people and they have the right to run their country as they see fit? If not, then don't you think it's more honest to dispense with the elections altogether, and recognize the supreme leader or god's representative of your choice, as the absolute ruler of the country like Saudi Arabia and similar countries?

And if you do believe in the primacy of the Iranian people to rule themselves and manage their own affairs, then don't you think 12 unelected people should not have the power to stand in their way, and decide whom they can and cannot vote for?

 

[Madali]

Well, that's rich!!! Islamists eliminate 99% (2970/3000) of the candidates that mildly disagree with them. And then when you say something, they tell you you're not forced to vote.

Let me ask you something. Do you believe that Iran belongs to the Iranian people and they have the right to run their country as they see fit? If not, then don't you think it's more honest to dispense with the elections altogether, and recognize the supreme leader or god's representative of your choice, as the absolute ruler of the country like Saudi Arabia and similar countries?

And if you do believe in the primacy of the Iranian people to rule themselves and manage their own affairs, then don't you think 12 unelected people should not have the power to stand in their way, and decide whom they can and cannot vote for?

You are confusing the issue. If majority of the people come out to vote, without being forced to, then they choose to accept the way the elections are conducted. Would you say this statement is false?

 

[Hack-Hook]

You are confusing the issue. If majority of the people come out to vote, without being forced to, then they choose to accept the way the elections are conducted. Would you say this statement is false?

technically yes.

 

[Madali]

technically yes.

Please expand on what you mean.