On Friday, Iran is holding an election for a new president. In total 7 contenders are hoping to gain the presidency after 1 contender dropped out earlier this month. Although Iran has no true political parties the candidates are ideological distinct (4 are conservatives and 3 are cautious reformers)
Is the current President standing?
The current president – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – is unable to serve another term after already serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Is the current President standing?
The current president – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – is unable to serve another term after already serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Who are the candidates for the presidency?
Pro-Khamenei candidates:
- Saeed Jalili who is Iran’s security of the National Security Council and a chief negotiator in foreign affairs
- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, mayor of Tehran
- Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide of Khamenei
- Mohsen Rezai
The reform candidates:
- Mohammad Reza Aref, the former vice-president
- Hassan Rowhani, former nuclear negotiator
- Mohammad Gharazi, an ex-minister
Who did not make it through vetting?
In total 678 people desired to stand for the presidency, with only 8 candidates (now 7) remaining after the vetting process. This process is meant to “prevent corruption and deviation”, according to one jurist. It includes background checks on police records, court records, and registry records for loyalty to Islam. After, the Guardian Council (12 Muslim clergymen) help the vetting process, but this has led critics to believe that many candidates are ‘hand-picked’ because of their loyalty to Islam.
Pro-Khamenei candidates:
- Saeed Jalili who is Iran’s security of the National Security Council and a chief negotiator in foreign affairs
- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, mayor of Tehran
- Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide of Khamenei
- Mohsen Rezai
The reform candidates:
- Mohammad Reza Aref, the former vice-president
- Hassan Rowhani, former nuclear negotiator
- Mohammad Gharazi, an ex-minister
Who did not make it through vetting?
In total 678 people desired to stand for the presidency, with only 8 candidates (now 7) remaining after the vetting process. This process is meant to “prevent corruption and deviation”, according to one jurist. It includes background checks on police records, court records, and registry records for loyalty to Islam. After, the Guardian Council (12 Muslim clergymen) help the vetting process, but this has led critics to believe that many candidates are ‘hand-picked’ because of their loyalty to Islam.