Iranian Election: Rafsanjani, Mashaei Prohibited to Participate

TEMPO.CO, Teheran - Two prominent figures in Iran were barred from competing in next month’s election. Only eight candidates have been given permission to compete.

The two figures are former President of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashei, an important figure that was once a close friend of President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad. “Both figures were expelled from the (Revolutionary) Guardian Council,” the state-run television reported.

Out of 686 people who registering as potential candidates for the presidential election, only eight were allowed to participate in the election.

The Guardian Council is an institution that guards the life and death of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a member of 12 people, consisting of Islamic religious leaders and law experts who belong to the hard-line fraction and bow down to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Eight presidential candidates approved by the Guardian Council include: Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili; former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani; former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati; and Mayor of Teheran Mohhamad Baqer Qalibat.

The rest of the names include: Mohsen Rezai, a former Commander of the Guardian Council; former parliamentary head Golamali Haddad-Adel; former Minister of Telecommunication Mohammad Gharazi; and Mohammad Reza Aref, a former Iran Vice President and Minister of Technology. Aref is said to be the only candidate to come from the reformist group.

Rafsanjani, who previously served as President in 1989 and 1997, seems to be the strongest candidate to win. He has support from pro-reformation groups and moderate politicians.

There has yet to be any official statement from the authorities towards Rafsanjani. However, the spokesman of Guardian Council, Abbas Ali Khakhodai, suggests the 78-year-old man not to take part due to a reason of “will not be able to face the heavy demands of being a president. "If an individual wanting to take up a high post can only perform a few hours of work each day, naturally that person cannot be confirmed," Kadkhodaei told the Al-Alam television, Sunday. 

Another candidate that has been blocked is Mashaei, known as President Ahmadinejad’s student. He is not allowed to compete as a president on June 14 this year since he had served as an executive member for two periods. In addition, his religious opinions are considered controversial. Mashaei’s potential presidency is therefore rejected by hard-line religious leaders since his thoughts might degrade the Islamic values embraced by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

However, Mashaei does not plan to back off. He has expressed that the decision is not fair and will appeal to the Supreme Leader. “God willing this will be resolved," as quoted from a semi-official Fars news agency.

BBC | CHOIRUL