Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Khashayar
What about this "massive turnout" He is probably referring to the massive turnout in his office:

http://www.mehrnews.com/wfNewsDetails_en.aspx?NewsID=60491&t=Political

Elections, to End Up in a More Moderate, Calm Majlis: EC Head
TEHRAN, February 20 (Mehr News Agency) -- Expediency Council Chief Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani after casting his vote for the 7th Majlis elections said, by their massive turnout in the polls, the Iranian people would answer the spites, Mehr News Agency reported on Friday.

Rafsanjani was referring to the recent events on the threshold of the 7th parliamentary elections, saying that given the issues such as some government bills that had been very politicized and the disqualifications by the Guardian Council of some hopefuls, it was clear we would be facing a venturous election. EC head noted it would have been better to do away with unpleasant internal events, the report added.



The EC head who was speaking to domestic and foreign reporters asserted that the interference of the foreigners, particularly the U.S., aimed at disappointing the Iranian people were worse than anything else. They have done all they could to dissuade people from taking part in the elections, the former Iranian president also noted.



On his assessment of the electorates, he added that, the general atmosphere shows a satisfactory rate of public participation may be expected.



In response to a reporter inquiring whether democracy would be materialized if only a quarter of the contenders turn out to be elected, he said so far in the past parliamentary and presidential elections, both the public turnout and the votes cast for the contenders have been more favorable than similar electoral results in the rest of the world.



He explained that at worst we would have a situation similar to that of the U.S. in which its president was elected by only 25 percent of the votes. Moreover, the U.S. president was declared the winner of the votes only after the verdict of the court, however, Rafsanjani also commented.



Turning to the pre-electoral process of assessment of the contenders? qualifications, the EC head predicted the election is likely to end up in forming a more moderate and calm Majlis, the report added.



Asked whether the 7th Majlis elections would be safe, he noted, "This time more serious supervision is effected and the executive board is more alert. Besides, the public close watch is of great significance and they themselves should keep a close eye on the balloting process."



As to Iran-Egypt ties, he voiced interest in renewal of ties between the two states and said, ?I have always been eager to see the relations between the two countries become natural.?



RA/IS
END
MNA
49 posted on 02/20/2004 8:18:50 AM PST by AdmSmith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies ]


To: AdmSmith; DoctorZIn
Last night, they were talking, in state run IRIB TV, about regaining Parliament again however I believe that there is no difference between Moderates and Hardliners.
51 posted on 02/20/2004 8:21:48 AM PST by Khashayar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies ]

To: AdmSmith
LOL!
It's those darned foreigner's fault again.

This sounds like the regime's version of "Move along. There's nothing to see here.Keep moving people....nothing going on....."

LOL
55 posted on 02/20/2004 8:30:21 AM PST by nuconvert ("Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson