Elections for the Iranian Parliament

The Legislative elections for the Iranian parliament or “Majlis of Iran” were held on March 14 2008. The Associated Press news agency reports that 188 out of 290 parliamentary seats have been decided so far. Quoting state television and official news agency Irna, AP says pro-Ahmadinejad politicians have won about 70 seats, reformists 31, and conservative critics of Mr. Ahmadinejad about 43.

Many people say these elections were unfair, as about 40% of the original 7,597 candidates who registered were disqualified, including most reformists, by the Guardians Council for being deemed insufficiently loyal to the 1979 Islamic revolution. Included among those that think it was unfair are the US, which said that Iran had “cooked” the elections by barring reformists, and European Union, which said:

In this regard it expresses its deep regret and disappointment that over a third of prospective candidates were prevented from standing in this year's parliamentary elections.

These exclusions prevented the Iranian people from being able to choose freely amongst the full range of political views in their country and represent a clear violation of the international norms.

As a result, the election was neither fair nor free.

For many people in Iran life may continue to get harder after these recent elections. Despite the president's promise to "put oil money on people's tables", life has been getting tougher for many Iranians.

Inflation is now more than 20%. Unemployment and job insecurity are big problems. Economic mismanagement is as much to blame as international sanctions, though Iran's financial system is facing increasing problems because of the embargo.

Nevertheless, this election has produced a parliament more loyal, if not to the president, then certainly to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. It will be a parliament less likely to challenge the government on matters of foreign policy or human rights.

Those looking and hoping for major change in Iran are likely to be disappointed.

References:

AFP. (2008). Iran reformists call for Tehran vote recount. Retrieved 21 March 2008 from http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlWsKpMkXqOYw9Suk3vF3GUL3Izg

BBC. (2008). Conservatives win Iran election. Retrieved 21 March 2008 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7297923.stm

BBC. (2008). Q&A: Iran parliamentary election. Retrieved 21 March 2008 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7277990.stm

BBC. (2008). Iran vote may strengthen Ahmadinejad. Retrieved 21 March 2008 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7282953.stm

Deutsche Welle. (2008). EU Disappointed by Conduct of Elections in Iran. Retrieved 21 March 2008 from http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3195312,00.html