Posted on 02/23/2016 4:56:34 AM PST by Keyvan Salami
Iran's Parliamentary election besides voting for the Expert Assembly, a fresh cohort of religious scholars, will take place on February 26. There is a misconception particularly on behalf of the Western media and states that these election are the competition scene of moderation against extremism within the regime. This totally absurd illusion is encouraged by Iran and its advocates. This misguided perception demonstrate either a lack of knowledge of the situation in Iran and the Iranian regime or and more probably an effort to detour the barrier of humanitarian values to have business with a dictatorship in charge of genocide , terrorism and miseries both in Iran and in the region . Khamenei, the supreme leader, heading the hardliners, simply is trying to spread the illusion of Rouhani's moderation to gain more concession from Western powers.
Islamic Republic Election laws per se indicate the degree of the authenticity of this event in Iran. The vetting procedure of the candidates is quite unique and in compliancy with Tehran's autocracy wrapped up in bogus democratic forms and practices. The candidacy is restricted to those individuals within the system and loyal to the supreme leader and yet they have to pass pre-election ratifications carried out by four institutions of Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Judiciary, State Security and the public registrar. The prejudice approval criteria are formulated in Iran's constitution. Article 28 of the law of election for parliament requires the candidates to "believe and adhere to Islam and the sacred system of the Islamic Republic in practice," and "express loyalty to the Constitution and the progressive principle of Velayat-e Faqhih," (the terminology simply defined as the autocratic rule of the religious leader prior to any other selected or nominated institutions or individuals.) This law is even more biased in the interpretation of the authorities in the "Guardian Council" (GC), an 88-member body mandated to safeguard the Islamic ordinances and the constitution. Ahmad Jannati, the secretary of the GC, for instance, stated on October 5, 2015 that the belief and adherence of candidates must be "whole-hearted". One can conclude that without GC imprimatur, candidates cannot even appear on the ballot on Election Day.
Thus, elections in Iran are not based on the free will of the people and those who are nominated as candidates only represent a very small fraction of the Iranian population; ie, IRGC members and others who have a vested interest in the regime and are entirely loyal to the absolute rule of the Supreme Leader. Therefore; the fate of these elections are finalized by the internal balance of power between long-established factions and by certain deliberations necessary for the survival of the system. All fractions common prime objective is the status quo of maintaining the clerical rule.
This year elections and its repercussions are important to the regime for some other reasons, too. The current election is made more important than ever before because of frail and ill condition of Khamenei as the dominant locus of power in this autocracy. This make it quite possible that the next Assembly of Experts will be faced with the task of electing the next supreme leader. On the other hand the successful implementation of the JCPOA invite an effusion of optimism about the country's future, both in human rights and welfare aspects. The expectations that has turned into an aggressive approach on behalf of the people but a nightmare to the authorities.
Iranian officials have taken preventive measures to cope with the repercussions of the elections. The Guardian Council has disqualified more than 6,500 candidates, about 40 percent of 12,123 registered candidates, leaving virtually no alternative candidates for people to vote for. They conclusively rejected the competence of Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the Islamic Republic founder, nominated by Rafsanjani "reformist" faction for membership in the Assembly of Experts. To contain the situation, Iran has intensified its crackdown on any act of protest or strike within the country. Tehran has banned holding any public meeting and gathering in fear of aggravation to wide public protests similar to the 2009 uprising. Responding to a question about whether holding "public protests and meetings" would be allowed, Brig. General Hussein Ashtari , the commander of the repressive State Security Forces (police) said: "It is not allowed. "He added that the police will deal harshly with "any electoral violations." "In the upcoming elections we must not allow the enemy and anti-revolution elements from abroad, along with their allies, disrupt the country's calm atmosphere," he said.
The Western powers should realize that the main dispute in Iran is literally between the people and the ruling autocracy. Tehran is facing the deepening social crises and dissents unable to either resolve or even contain them. The ruling factions' dispute is only their tactical differences regarding how best to cope with the calamities to preserve the system and this should not deceive their counterparts abroad. Regardless of which faction might have the upper hand, the outcome of the elections will certainly deepen the regime's internal crisis. The rift in the regime's leadership will only widen, which pre se trigger mass uprisings against the entirety of the regime selecting the well-practiced model of 2009. This is Khamenei's nightmare.
“totally absurd illusion “
Exactly.
“The prejudice approval criteria are formulated in Iran’s constitution. Article 28 of the law of election for parliament requires the candidates to “believe and adhere to Islam and the sacred system of the Islamic Republic in practice,” and “express loyalty to the Constitution and the progressive principle of Velayat-e Faqhih,”
It’s ridiculous and sad.
I have kept the Persian people in my prayers since their valiant effort in 2009 and I will keep them in prayers until they win their freedom or I die, whichever comes first.
God Bless you all and Keep you safe.
Thanks for your deep and kind affection
I am sure that you and I will see the day that people in Iran and the whole region will see the freedom. your prayer is surely effective and we need it.
I’m so grateful for their inspiration and their incredible spirit.
I hope so!
:-) I’ll pray harder.
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