Data shows new requirements for presidential hopefuls worked: Interior Ministry official
An Iranian Interior Ministry official says the lower number of registrants for the June 18 presidential election compared to the previous votes shows that the new requirements for hopefuls helped prevent the entry of individuals with irrelevant qualifications and thus created a sensical atmosphere in the registration process.
In a program broadcast live on Iran’s state television, Jamal Orf, who heads the Interior Ministry’s election headquarters, said 592 individuals hoping to run for president had filed their applications by Saturday, when a five-day deadline set for the hopefuls to register expired.
“In the 12th [presidential] election, 1,636 individuals had registered for running, while in the 11th vote, 686 people had signed up; therefore, a rather sensical trend has emerged [in the latest process],” the official added.
Just days before registration began, the Constitutional Council — which supervises elections in Iran — offered a new interpretation of the country’s election law that added new criteria for presidential candidates in an effort to separate out large numbers of people who nominate with very basic or no qualifications at all for every election.
Accordingly, presidential hopefuls are required to be between 40 and 70 years of age, hold at least a master’s degree or its equivalent, have a work experience of at least four years in managerial posts (with specific criteria of its own), and have no criminal record.
The Council also dropped a ban on the participation of military commanders with the status of major general or higher in the presidential election.
In the past five days, Orf added, presidential hopefuls affiliated with all political currents had filed their applications with the ministry. He said hopefuls from both the Principlist and Reformist camps in addition to independent moderates had entered the scene.
The official said the documents received from the hopefuls would be handed over to the Constitutional Council, which will begin a five-day vetting process as of Sunday. The period could be extended for another five days.
The final list of the candidates will be released by May 26-27, followed by the campaign season, Orf said.
He further said that, given the coronavirus outbreak in the country, this year’s election will be held in line with certain health protocols. There will be no large campaign rallies or election meetings, he said, urging the candidates-to-be to instead make use of the opportunities that broadcast and social media provide them with to prevent a surge in COVID-19 infections.
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