Sham elections

last updated 8 January 2015

Tehran

Religious fundamentalists swept Iran’s parliamentary elections this week, after most pro-reform candidates were arbitrarily disqualified from running. “Victory in a competition without rivals is not epic, but a historical fiasco,” said Rasoul Mehrparvar, one of the banned candidates. Turnout was under 50 percent—a record low for the country—as some voters boycotted on principle and others out of disillusionment. Parliament has little real power; even when the reformers dominated the legislature, they were unable to achieve democratic reforms. The body is now in the hands of conservatives who support clerical rule.