The dark past of Iran’s new presidential favourite

‘Each vote counts…come and vote and choose your president. This is important for the future of your country.’ These were the words of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this morning as he urged people to make their voices heard in today’s presidential election.

Each vote doesn’t count, of course. The regime makes sure of that. Iran ‘manages’ its elections. This year, 600 people registered as candidates, now only seven remain. The unelected Guardian Council, which consists of 12 ‘jurists’ (clerics), is responsible for ensuring all candidates are compatible with ‘Islamic values’. 

What this means is that it can disqualify pretty much anyone it doesn’t like, and the real reasons the council generally disqualifies people are almost invariably to do with politics rather than religion.

Sometimes, though, the Council gets it wrong. 

In 2013, everyone thought the winner would be the hardline then Mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Instead, the (comparative) moderate Hassan Rouhani won with over 50 per cent of the vote, precluding even the need for a second round.