Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie -- a close aide to outgoing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad -- were denied a place on the ballot by the Guardians Council of clerics and jurists.
Only eight of nearly 700 potential presidential candidates were approved by the Guardians Council.
Analysts said the majority of the approved candidates are hardliners loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell urged the Tehran authorities to give Iranians a free vote.
Ventrell said the Guardians Council had approved candidates "based solely on who the regime believes will represent its interests, rather than those of the Iranian people."
Ahmadinejad Denounces Mashaie Disqualification
In related news, outgoing Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has vowed to challenge a decision to disqualify Mashaie from the presidential election on June 14.
Ahmadinejad said on May 22 that he will take up Mashaie's disqualification with Khamenei, calling it an act of "oppression."
Chief nuclear negotiator Said Jalili and Khamenei's foreign policy adviser Ali Akbar Velayati are among the approved candidates.
Ahmadinejad cannot seek a third consecutive term under Iranian law
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/washington-criticizes-iran-presidential-candidates/24993509.html
mountain lion hanley ramirez Christian Bale visits victims Christian Bale Sherman Hemsley Olympics Opening Ceremony Katherine Jackson
No comments:
Post a Comment