Since its foundation,
the clerical regime ruling Iran has used false elections to paint a democratic
picture of its tyrannical rule across the world. Unfortunately, for different
motives, some western politicians and governments acknowledge this and try to
invest in the power-jockeying between the so-called “moderate” and “hardliner”
factions in the Iranian regime, a competition they deem authentic.
If not stemming from
economic interests and political considerations, this logic is rooted in a
flawed assessment of the structure governing the religious dictatorship ruling
Iran. This erroneous line of thinking and the decisions it has resulted in have
come at a huge cost to peace and stability in the region and across the globe.
The nature of the
Iranian regime, its dynamics, balance of power and inner currents all prove
that elections within the country in no way relate to the democratic traditions
known in the West. Iran's presidential elections are in fact a 20th century
façade draped over an outdated regime that is the ideological mirror image of
ISIS.
Khomeini, the founder of
this regime and creator of the theory of Velayat-e Faghih (Guardianship of the
Islamic Jurist), explicitly described the Islamic rule as the “Absolute Reign
of the Islamic Jurist” in which the Supreme Leader can overrule the vote of the
entire population. He has stipulated, “We want a caliph that severs hands and
stones to death.”
The Iranian regime’s
officials assert that religious boundaries override geographical ones. Under
such a reign, elections are no more than a mockery of democracy.
Under the regime’s laws,
only people who have heartfelt belief and practical obligation to the Supreme
Leader are eligible to run for the office of president. Candidates are vetted
by the Guardian Council, a twelve-member body, six of which are directly
appointed by the Supreme Leader and the rest chosen by the head of the
judiciary branch—who is again put in place by the Supreme Leader.
More than 1,600 people
registered for this year’s elections, six of which made it to the final round.
Even former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013), who previously had the
full favor of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, was disqualified due to his
fallout with the regime’s leader in the final years of his presidency.
The Iranian regime’s
president is not a decision maker. According to article 110 of the
constitution, the Supreme Leader is the sole proprietor of most powers that
countries such as the United States and France grant to their president,
judiciary and the legislative. The Supreme Leader answers and has clearance to
override the paltry authorities that the president assumes.
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