Iran's Guardian Council did not allow the former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, a protégé of the current president to participate in the presidential elections. The initial list of 686 potential candidates reduced up to eight people, and they will be able to take part in the presidential race, according to the Iranian agency Fars.
All 12 members of the Council are allies of Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Almost all of them are approved candidates and have a reputation for ultra-conservative closely associated with the Iranian religious establishment. The only exception on their background is as a former vice president and Minister of Technology, Mohammad Reza Aref, according to the Russian service of the BBC.
Iran's representative at the talks on nuclear program, Saeed Jalili, his predecessor Hassan Rohani, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, the mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the former head of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezai, former parliament speaker Gholamali Haddad-Adel and former Communications Minister. Mohammad Garaz, will participate in the elections.
The Council did not consider it necessary to explain the removal of candidates, but a spokesman of the body, Abbas Ali Kahodai, in his Sunday's interview with state television channel Al Alam hinted that Rafsanjani is 78 years old, and it will be difficulty to him to cope with the heavy presidential duties, because he is "able to work only a few hours a day."
Rafsanjani will not challenge the decision of the Council or appeal to Ayatollah Khamenei, declared the head of his election headquarters, Eskhag Jahangiri. The supporters of Rafsanjani do not conceal their indignation in social networks.
Meanwhile, the President Ahmadinejad announced his intention to discuss with the spiritual leader of the country the lifting of the ban on participation in the presidential election of his close associate and head of his administration, reports "Interfax".
Mashai himself called the decision about the ban on participation in the presidential election unfair, and is going to seek justice from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "If it is the will of Allah, the matter will be resolved," the semi-official Iranian news agency “Fars” quoted the politician.
Mashai is a protégé of Ahmadinejad, who himself will not be able to stand for election on June 14, having already served in the position two consecutive terms.
Ayatollah Khamenei is the only person in Iran who can intervene to ensure that the Guardian Council changed the decision.
Meanwhile, one of the representatives of the Council noted on Tuesday evening that "the electoral legislation does not provide for the procedure of appeal for candidates."
The elections campaign for the approved candidates will end on June 12. Elections will be held on June 14. -0-
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