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Draft Election Law Under Gov't Review

Draft Election Law Under Gov't Review
Draft Election Law Under Gov't Review

An Interior Ministry official said a draft bill on the comprehensive election law is under review in the Cabinet's Political and Defense Committee.

"After its approval, it will be presented to the Cabinet for endorsement and then will be sent to parliament," said Deputy Interior Minister for Political Affairs Mohammad Hossein Moqimi in an interview with ICANA on Sunday.

The governmental committee comprises the interior minister, foreign minister, defense minister, intelligence minister and the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Interior Ministry Spokesman Salman Samani said early September that the ministry had finalized the draft and submitted it to the committee.

Moqimi said under the draft, the interior minister, which is responsible for organizing elections, will be monitored by a "high election board", in which representatives of three branches of power and other relevant bodies are present. The Guardians Council is in charge of vetting candidates and supervising elections.

The deputy minister said the draft, which has integrated rules and articles related to elections, intends to ensure fairness to all candidates, protect the votes of people and address complaints over the vetting process of candidates.

Moqimi said the draft is based on the general election policies outlined by the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in consultation with the Expediency Council.

The Leader announced the 18-article guidelines on Saturday.

Samani said last month that according to the draft, a special committee would be established for addressing violations by candidates, regulating publicity campaigns and monitoring campaign spending.

The spokesman said the draft also aims to prevent "dirty money" from entering the electoral races and pave the way for competent people to enter the election scene by "providing candidates with financial assistance for campaigns, increasing the role of parties and taking into account the managerial experience of candidates."

The bill also says eligible people who want to cast their votes should sign up before an election. The Interior Ministry officials hope the comprehensive law will be implemented by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2017). The next presidential poll will be held on May 19, concurrent with the city council votes.

 

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