Iranian legislative election, 2012
- Majority for Conservatives
- Majority of reformer / Moderate
The parliamentary elections in 2012 in Iran was held on 2 March 2012. 48.2 million Iranians were called to vote.
Applicants for the 290 seats of the Iranian Parliament could be between 24 and 30 December 2011 Registration as a candidate. In total, 5,300 candidates had registered, including 390 women. The list of approved candidates for election was announced by the Guardian Council.
Prehistory
According to the allegations of fraud in the Iranian presidential election, expected in 2009 observer a low turnout. The level of voter turnout is considered as an indicator for the acceptance of the Islamic system of government in the population. With reference to the since then under house arrest opposition leader Zahra Rahnavard, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who lives in Great Britain Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi called the end of January 2012, all Iranians to boycott the election. In December 2011, the former President Mohammad Khatami called on the reformer, to register not only as candidates. A participation in the elections did not make sense, as long as the political prisoners were not released. The vote itself, however, Mohammad Khatami attended. Because of the emerging non-participation of reformers was expected that the elections will be a confrontation between supporters and opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad within the conservative camp. The boycott of the reformers was not closed, it took two smaller parties " rule of the people " and " House of Labor " with its own candidates in part.
On February 10, a spokesman of the Guardian Council announced that more than 3,000 candidates " suitable " are. Excluded were also six clerics and six lawyers who are regarded as supporters of President Ahmadinejad. The British Guardian reported on the state guided by blockades of sites Ahmadinejad inclined. This approach is seen as a power-political encroachment of Ali Chamene'i. Ahmadinejad is accused, he would with his many Iranians appealing strong emphasis on nationalist politics contents undermine clerical power and the primacy of the Supreme Leader.
On 18 February 2012, reported that the Iranian police are increasing in the flow preceding the general election against illegal equipment for receiving satellite television. The aim of the police operation was to prevent the Iranians before the election it to look radiated from foreign television programs in Farsi.
Approved groups
Membership in a political party or membership of a political group is in principle not compulsory for MPs. In particular, for the Armenian, Chaldean / Assyrian, Jewish and Zoroastrian minorities, there is a special scheme. Not approved were the Participation Front of Islamic Iran, the Islamic Coalition Party and the front of the Islamic resistance.
A total of eight groups were approved by the Guardian:
Which positions these "Groups and Associations " represented, is not clear. Some candidates are on multiple lists.
Results
On Election Day, the opening times of the polling stations, the closing was scheduled for 18:00 local time, were extended by five hours. Furthermore sought from the electoral districts more ballots. The turnout should have lain at 21:00 local time clock at 64.6 %; 31 million ballots were cast, according to the state news agency to date. Analysts went in advance of an election contribution of between 15 and 17% in Tehran, in rural areas tend to be higher. The final turnout was estimated at around 64%. It was highest in the province Kohkilouyeh - Boyer Ahmad with 89%, in Tehran, it stood at 48%
The Seyyed Solat Mortazavi returning officer caused irritation. In a live television interview he gave to the turnout with 34%, then he corrected himself, and gave the figure of 64.4 % stake. In the first round 225 seats have been assigned, the run-off elections are a month after the Guardian Council has confirmed the results of the first round will be held.
Criticism from the reformist camp reaped the former President Mohammad Khatami, who had taken part in the vote despite a call for a boycott. In a statement to his critics Mohammad Khatami stated that the strategy not to create any own candidates and electoral lists have means at no time a boycott of the elections. Khatami justified his turnout as an "attempt to keep themselves through negotiation with the political establishment open."
The second round of parliamentary elections took place on May 4, 2012. 65 seats were going to award, of which the two main alliances of the Conservatives secured 44 seats. In the 9th Iranian parliament thus have the " United Front of Prinzipialisten " which are counted among the critics of President Ahmadinejad, with 65 seats, and the "front of the continuation of the revolution," which has close Ahmadinejad, with 25 seats, the largest conservative groups together about 90 deputies. 61 MPs will participate in two alliances, 15 smaller conservative alliances. The reformers were two more seats and are in the new parliament with 21 seats represented ( in the previous parliament with 60 seats). The religious minorities represent a total of 14 MPs - an increase of 9 seats. The largest group is independent candidates. It is expected that further fractions are established in the new Parliament. 290 MPs in total 196 are represented for the first time in Parliament. Nine women are members of the new parliament, in the last Parliament there were eight female MPs. The opening session of the new Parliament took place on 27 May. Ali Larijani was re-elected to Parliament chief.
Criticism
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, criticized the Iranian parliamentary elections, " miss all democratic standards " which, simply as "a method for measuring the internal power struggles within the regime. " British Foreign Secretary William Hague described the election as " neither free nor fair. "Even within Iran, the choice was criticized. It is reported in the city Garmsar of vote-buying, by the, was affected also the sister of President Ahmadinejad Parwin and protested.