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| Iranian Youth Frown on Election Farce |
| [Analysis] Elections are on their way, but many see them as a tool of the regime |
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Omid Habibinia (internews)  |
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Published 2005-04-12 18:32 (KST) |
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 |  | | | | | A young student protesting at a speech by Mohammad Khatami covers her face to prevent being recognized by intelligence services. | | ©2005 Freebatebi.com | Last week thousands of Iranians gathered in front of the European Union Headquarters in Brussels to oppose support for the Islamic Republic of Iran. The demonstration was held on the anniversary of the referendum of March 30, 1979, when theocrats led by Ayatollah Khomeini claimed over 98 percent of participants voted to instate the Islamic Republic.
Merely two months after the overthrow of the shah, Khomeini ordered the referendum, which consisted of two choices: Islamic Republic: yes or no.
In spite of a leftist boycott, most intellectuals and political forces did not dare oppose Khomeini.
Now, 26 years later, the Islamic Republic continues the same practices. Less than two months remain until the ninth presidential election in Iran, and still the candidates do not know whether they can actually run.
According to Islamic Republic law, candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians, a highly influential government branch controlled by clerics who are appointed by Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader. The Council's main duties are to ensure that bills, parliamentary candidates, the presidency, and the Assembly of Experts, the congress that supervises activities of the president, adhere to Islamic law.
The candidates also need approval by the ministry of intelligence and security (the head of which is a cleric controlled by the supreme leader), national security forces and the judiciary. In some cases intelligence agents research candidates prior to approval, making chances for an independently nominated candidate virtually impossible.
 | |  Bearing Che Guevara photos and slogans like "NO! Viva Freedom" and "Enough Lies!" leftist students disrupt a reformist candidate's bid for the presidential election in June 2005. | | | ©2005 Freebatebi.com | | According to an ambiguous term in the Iranian constitution (rejaal, which can be interpreted as "men" or "famous people"), only men can nominate themselves in presidential elections, so it is unlikely women will play a part. This modern reality contrasts with the active roles Iranian women had throughout Persian history, where they have even served as emperors. Nowadays, however, rarely can a woman be found in the higher ranks of the government.
The regime in Iran is losing its legitimacy every day, but the two wings are competing in the coming presidential elections. However, it should be pointed out that in the last two elections, voter participation was lower than 50 percent. In the last parliamentary election only half of the eligible voters were acknowledged to have voted. While foreign media reported empty polling stations, since there were no crowds, state television in Iran broadcast footage of people casting ballots.
In the last local elections, held two years ago in Tehran, a metropolis of 12 million people, fewer than 11 percent of the population voted.
However, state polls show the regime is counting on a voter turnout of 50 to 60 percent in the coming presidential elections, which are scheduled for June, and the young Iranian vote may consist of 28 million people. However, most analysts believe such a large turnout is impossible.
Four years ago, President Mohammad Khatami won a second term after promising that with a parliament that was 90 percent reformist he would improve the status of women and address issues important to young Iranians. Not only was he unable to push reforms past the hard-liners, the situation got worse. Human rights and freedom of expression in the country reached new lows, and the so-called reformers had neither the power nor the will to confront the conservative wing. Such a confrontation would be risky for the regime, as it could cause widespread revolt.
 | | | Iranian President Mohammad Khatami was angered by students shouting him down at a talk given at Tehran University. | | | ©2005 O.Habibinia | | Nevertheless, both the reformers and conservatives expect to win with their non-clergy nominees. Khatami's so-called reformist party has nominated Dr. Mostafa Moin, ex-minister of science and research as the most recent and best chance. He enjoys support by students who still believe in the reformers' passion to bring about real change.
On the other side of the spectrum, the hard-liners have nominated Dr. Ali Larijani, ex-president of state radio and television and a close associate of Ayatollah Khamenei.
However, even now conflicts surrounding the election are forming. Most young people wish to boycott the election, and in recent weeks leftist students have crashed candidates' campaign meetings and turned them into demonstrations against the regime.
While less than two months remain before the election, there is no sign of election day enthusiasm in Tehran or other Iranian cities. But for a regime that needs to rely on propaganda now more than ever, it will not be pleasant to see the polling stations empty.Now you can register as a citizen reporter with our new English login system! Keep track of the number of people who read your stories, readers comments and the cybercash you earned. The registration process is quick and free. A FAQ and step-by-step slide show (PowerPoint) will help you get started. OhmyNews is looking forward to receiving stories from your part of the world.
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©2005 OhmyNews
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