Foreign press and media department

History of Parliaments in Iran

First Majlis (1906)

After the Constitutional Revolution in Iran, the first elections
for the legislative assembly were held in September 1906. In
this round only the hexagonal strata of princes, aristocrats and
noblemen, ulema, clerics, tradesmen, landlords and farmers had the
right to run for the elections or vote. The minimum voting age was 25.
The number of representatives was determined to be 156 which was
not materialized. The tenure of the assembly was two years.

Second Majlis (1909)

The second Majlis elections were held according to the elections law
in July 1909. The number of representatives was reduced to 120, the
condition of class distinction for participation in the polls was lifted
and the minimum voting age was set at 20. The amount of ownership
was adjusted but to run for the Majlis one had to be a landlord. This
assembly did not complete its term and was dissolved following the
ultimatum by Russia.

Third Majlis (1914)

According to the elections law approved by the second Majlis
(October 22, 1911) two months before its dissolution, elections for
the third Majlis were held in January 1914. In the new law, all Iranian
men enjoyed equal suffrage rights and the number of deputies rose to
136.

Fourth Majlis (1921-23)

Elections for the fourth Majlis was held in 1918 but the assembly was
practically inaugurated after Reza Shah's coup d'etat of July 1921.

5th to 13th Majlises (1923-1941)

The fifth to thirteenth Majlises were held between the years 1923 and
1941 during Reza Shah Pahlavi's rule. The fifth and sixth Majlises
which date back to before and beginning of the rule of Reza Shah,
remained a bit away from the supervision of the government but in
the 7th to 13th Majlises only representatives favored by Reza Shah
found their way to the parliament.

14th to 17th Majlises (1941-1953)

After the fall of Reza Shah and Iran's occupation by the Allied
Forces, three national assemblies were held which are considered, to
a great extent, to be the manifestation of the national resolve. During
the said Majlises, the Russian forces withdrew from Iran, Azerbaijan
was liberated, the Anglo-Iranian oil company was nationalized and
the national government of Mohammad Mossadeq came into office.
However, before the end of the 16th Majlis, the national government
of Mossadeq was overthrown through an American engineered coup
d'etat.

18th to 24th Majlises (1953-1979)

Six Majlis terms were held between the coup d'etat of 1953 and the
1979 revolution which on the whole acted in line with the demands of
the Imperial Court and the Shah. Rigging and exertion of influence
were among the prominent features of these assemblies. During the
21st Majlis elections (1961), women for the first time obtained
suffrage right and six women were elected to the parliament.

Legislative Assemblies after the Victory of

the Islamic Revolution

First Majlis (1980-1984)

Elections for the first legislative assembly of Iran after the
victory of the Islamic Revolution was held on March 14,1980.
The elections law had been earlier approved by the Revolution'sCouncil.

According to the said law, absolute majority (50% plus one votes)
was determined as the criteria for electing representatives in the first
stage of the 2elections. If all the seats were not won in the first stage
of the elections, from among those who secured the highest votes,
twice the number of the remaining seats would compete in the
runoffs. Here, those winning the relative majority found their ways
into the parliament.

In the first Majlis, all groups and parties nominated their candidates.
Four women were from those elected to the Majlis. Among the first
decision of the legislative body was to change the name of the
parliament from the National Consultative Assembly to the Islamic
Consultative Assembly. Three months after the formation of the first
parliament, Iraq invaded Iran.

Second Majlis (1984-1988)

Elections for the second term of the Majlis was held under conditions
that Iran was in its fourth year of the war against Iraq. The elections
were held without serious competition. Political figures advocating
the revolution and the government were the main contenders. In this
term too, four women were elected.

Third Majlis (1988-1992)

Elections for the third term of the Majlis were held when the late
Imam Khomeini was alive and under conditions that the united rank
of the country,especially among the clergy, had been openly divided
into two groups. Disagreement on a number of issues, particularly
concerning the economic policies, as well as attitudes on the rule of
velayat-e faqih led a group of the clergy to split from Jame'e
Rouhaniyate Mobarez (Militant Clergy Association). As a result and
with the permission of the late Imam,Majma'e Rouhanioune
Mobarez (Militant Clerics League) started their political activities. The
majority of the seats of the third Majlis were occupied by the MCL.

At the end of its activities, the third Majlis by approving an
amendment to the elections law, changed the condition of `absolute
majority' (fifty plus one votes) to one third plus one votes. In this
term of the Majlis too, four women were elected.

Fourth Majlis (1992-1996)

The fourth Majlis started its activities under conditions that the
Council of Guardians which was in charge of supervising the
elections and conforming the laws with Islam and the Constitution,
had expanded its domain of responsibility to deciding the competency
of the candidates, a task it described as "approbatory supervision".
Thus the faqih members of the Council of Guardians who are
appointed by the Leader, disqualified most of the candidates affiliated
to the MCL (Jame'e Rouhaniyate Mobarez) and their like-minded
groups in the elections. Therefore, the fourth Majlis was thoroughly
taken over by advocates of MCA (Majma'e Rouhanioune Mobarez).
Nine women were elected to the Majlis in this term.

Fifth Majlis (1996-2000)

The approbatory supervision of the Council of Guardians continued
in this term of the Majlis but the emergence of the Executives of
Construction, a new faction formed by some prominent members of
President Hashemi Rafsanjani's cabinet, disturbed the uniformity of
the fourth Majlis. This group, together with a few advocates of MCL
formed a strong minority in the fifth Majlis. In the 1997 presidential
elections, the same minority supported the candidacy of Mohammad
Khatami.

In a new amendment to the elections law, the fifth Majlis again eased
the condition of winning a minimum of one third of votes in the first
stage to one fourth plus one votes. Fourteen women were elected in
this term of the Majlis.

Sixth Majlis

The 6th parliamentary elections were held on February 17, 2000 and
most of the MPs gained their seats in the very first stage of the
elections. The further 64 constituencies had to run by-elections.

After the Guardian Council overturned the election results in some
districts citing irregularities and following the rejection of the
credentials of a number of the MPs-elect in the Majlis, 274
candidates found their ways into the parliament and 16 vacant seats
were to be filled through by-elections.

A particular feature of the elections was the Secretary of the
Guardian Council (GC) Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati's letter to the
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei concerning the
Tehran constituency results. The GC alleged that vote-rigging had
taken place in some ballot boxes in the Tehran constituency. The
polls were thus cancelled.

The incident occurred while 29 of the total 30 parliamentary seats for
Tehran had been gained by the reformist candidates.

In his reply to the letter, the Supreme Leader said that the polls
should be announced based on the approved ballot boxes.
Consequently, 26 reformist candidates, as well as ex-president Akbar
Hashemi Rafsanjani and Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel from the Militant
Clergy Association or Jame-e Rowhaniat-e Mobarez (JRM) list of
favorite candidates, managed to hit their seats. The remaining two
seat were to be filled through by-elections. During the by-election in
Tehran Ali-Akbar Mohtashamipour and Elias Hazrati succeeded in
gaining the two seats.

However, Hashemi Rafsanjani announced his decision to quit after
he found his way to the Parliament.

The reformist camp and the Interior Ministry never accepted the
vote-rigging allegations. Prior to the by-elections, the number of
female MPs decreased from 14 in the 5th Majlis to 11 in the 6th
parliament.

Quite noticeable was the considerable cut on the number of clerics in
the 6th Parliament. There are 35 cleric deputies, the least ever, in the
6th Parliament. Moreover, participation of new figures, mostly
reformers advocating President Mohammad Khatami, in the elections
was especially remarkable. 169 Majlis deputies of a total 274 are
first-timers.

A total of 356 people, including 25 women, have announced their
candidacy for the by-elections to be held on the same day as the
presidential polls on June 8.

Seventeen seats are up for grabs, including one in Tehran.

In Tehran, 125 people, including seven women, will be vying for the
seat vacated by Hashemi Rafsanjani.

The by-election will fill 16 other seats in the 290-member legislature
which have remained empty.

Members of the Presiding Board of Sixth Majlis

* Karrubi, Mahdi (Speaker)
* Nabavi, Behzad (First Deputy)
* Khatami, Seyyed Mohammad-Reza (Second Deputy)
* Naiemipour, Mohammad
* Shakouri-Rad, Ali
* Khaleqi, Naser
* Jabbarzadeh, Esmaiel
* Qomi, Mohammad
* Jelodarzadeh, Soheila
* Tabesh, Mohammad-Reza
* Sazgarnezhad, Jalil
� Hashemi, Seyyed Hosein

The Executive

Next to the Leader, the President shall be the highest official state
authority who is responsible for the implementation of the
Constitution and, as the Chief Executive, for the exercise of the
executive powers, with the exception of those matters that directly
relate to the Leader.

The President shall be elected by the direct vote of the people for a
four-year term of office. His consecutive re-election shall be allowed
only for one term.

The President shall be elected from among distinguished religious
and political personalities having the following qualifications:
He shall be of Iranian origins, have Iranian citizenship, be efficient
and prudent, have a record of good reputation, honesty and piety,
and be true and faithful to the essentials of the Islamic Republic of
Iran and the official Faith of the country.

The President shall be responsible vis-a-vis the Nation, the Leader,
and the Majlis within the limits of his authorities and responsibilities
undertaken by him by virtue of the Constitution and/or ordinary laws.
The President shall have an obligation to assent all legislation of the
Majlis or the result of a referendum, after the same have duly been
passed and notified to him and to forward it to relevant authorities
for implementation.

The President or his legal representative shall sign treaties,
conventions, agreements and contracts concluded by the Government
of Iran with other governments and likewise agreements concerning
international unions, after the same have been ratified by the Majlis.
Ambassadors shall be appointed upon proposal by the minister of
foreign affairs and approval by the President. The President may
have deputies for the discharge of his lawful functions. The first
vice-president is responsible for administering the council of
ministers and coordinate the deputies. At present the Iranian
President has seven deputies. The Cabinet comprises 20 ministers.
The ministers shall be appointed by the President and presented to
the Majlis for a vote of confidence. Every individual minister is
responsible vis-a-vis the President and the Majlis for his own special
duties.

The Executive in Iran's Constitution

Article 113: After the office of Leadership, the President is the
highest official in the country. His is the responsibility for
implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the
executive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of)
the Leadership.

Article 114: The President is elected for a four-year term by the
direct vote of the people. His re-election for a successive term is
permissible only once.

Article 115: The President must be elected from among religious
and political personalities possessing the following qualifications:
Iranian origin; Iranian nationality; administrative capacity and
resourcefulness; a good past-record; trustworthiness and piety;
convinced belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the official madhhab of the country.

Article 116: Candidates nominated for the post of President must
declare their candidature officially. Law lays down the manner in
which the President is to be elected.

Article 117: The President is elected by an absolute majority of votes
polled by the voters. But if none of the candidates is able to win such
a majority In the first round, voting will take place a second time on
Friday of the following week. In the second round only the two
candidates who received greatest number of votes in the first round
will participate. If, however, some of the candidates securing greatest
votes in the first round withdraw from the elections, the final choice
will be between the two candidates who won greater number of votes
than all the remaining candidates.

.

Article 118: Responsibility for the supervision of the election, of the
President lies with the Guardian Council, as stipulated in Article 99.
But before the establishment of the first Guardian Council, however,
it lies with a supervisory body to be constituted by law.

Article 119: The election of a new President must take place no
later than one month before the end of the term of the outgoing
President. In the interim period before the election of the new
President and the end of the term of the outgoing President, the
outgoing President will perform the duties of the, President.

Article 120: In case any of the candidates whose suitability is
established in terms of the qualifications listed above should die
within ten days before polling day, the elections will be postponed for
two weeks. If one of the candidates securing greatest number of votes
dies in the intervening period between the first and second rounds of
voting, the period for holding (the second round of) the election will
be extended for two weeks.

Article 121: The President must take the following oath and affix his
signature to it at a session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in
the presence of the head of the judicial power and the members of
the Guardian Council: In, the Name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful, I, as President, swear, in the presence of the Noble Qur'an
and the people of Iran, by God, the Exalted and Almighty, that I will
guard the official religion of the country, the order of the Islamic
Republic and the Constitution of the country; that I will devote all my
capacities and abilities to the fulfillment of the responsibilities that I
have assumed; that I will dedicate myself to the service of the people,
the honor of the country, the propagation of religion and morality,
and the support of truth and justice, refraining from every kind of
arbitrary behavior; that I will protect the freedom and dignity of all
citizens and the rights that the Constitution has accorded the people;
that in guarding the frontiers and the political, economic, and cultural
independence of the country I will not shirk any necessary measure;
that, seeking help from God and following the Prophet ofIslam and
the infallible Imams(peace be upon them), I will guard, as a pious and
selfless trustee, the authority vested in me by the people as a sacred
trust, and transfer it to whomever the people may elect after me.

Article 122: The President, within the limits of his powers and
duties, which he has by virtue of this Constitution or other laws, is
responsible to the people, the Leader and the Islamic Consultative
Assembly.

Article 123: The President is obliged to sign legislation approved by
the Assembly or the result of a referendum, after the (related) legal
procedures have been completed and it has been communicated to
him. After signing, he must forward it to the responsible authorities
for implementation.

Article 124: The President may have deputies for the performance
of his constitutional duties. With the approval of the President, the
first deputy of the President shall be vested with the responsibilities
of administering the affairs of the Council of Ministers and
coordination of functions of other deputies.

Article 125: The President or his legal representative has the
authority to sign treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements
concluded by the Iranian government with other governments, as well
as agreements pertaining to international organizations, after
obtaining the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 126: The President is responsible for national planning and
budget and state employment affairs and may entrust the
administration of these to others.

Article 127: In special circumstances, subject to approval of the
Council of Ministers the President may appoint one or more special
representatives with specific powers. In such cases, the decisions of
his representative(s) will be considered as tee same as those of the
President and the Council of Ministers.

Article 128: The ambassadors shall be appointed upon the
recommendation of the foreign minister and approval of the
President. The President signs the credentials of ambassadors and
receives the credentials presented by the ambassadors ,of the foreign
countries.

Article 129: The award of state decorations is a prerogative of the
President.

Article 130: The President shall submit his resignation to the Leader
and shall continue performing his duties until his resignation is not
accepted.

Article 131: In case of death, dismissal, resignation, absence, or
illness lasting longer than two months of the President, or when his
term in office has ended and a new president has not been elected
due to some impediments, or similar other circumstances, his first
deputy shall assume, with the approval of the Leader, the powers and
functions of the President. The Council, consisting of the Speaker of
the Islamic Consultative Assembly, head, of the judicial power, and
the first deputy of the President, is obliged to arrange for a new
President to be elected within a maximum period of fifty days. In case
of death of the first deputy to the President, or other matters which
prevent him to perform his duties, or when the President does not
have a first deputy, the Leader shall appoint another person in his
place.

Article 132: During the period when the powers and responsibilities
of the President are assigned to his first deputy or the other person in
accordance with Article 131, neither can the ministers be interpolated
nor can a vote of no-confidence be passed against them. Also,neither
can any step be undertaken for a review of the Constitution, nor a
national referendum be held.

Article 133: Ministers will be appointed by the President and will be
presented to the Assembly for a vote of confidence. With the change
of Assembly, a new vote of confidence will not be necessary. The
number of ministers and the jurisdiction of each will be determined
by law.

Article 134: The President is the head of the Council of Ministers.
He supervises the work of the ministers and takes all necessary
measures to coordinate the decisions of the government. With the
cooperation of the ministers, he determines the programme and
policies of the government and implements the laws. In the case of
discrepancies, or interferences in the constitutional duties of the
government agencies, the decision of the Council of Ministers at the
request of the President shall be binding provided it does not call for
an interpretation of or modification in the laws. The President is
responsible to the Assembly for the actions of the Council of
Ministers.

Article 135: The ministers shall continue in office unless they are
dismissed, or given a vote of no-confidence by the Assembly as a
result of their interpolation, or a motion for a vote of no- confidence
against them. The resignation of the Council of Ministers, or that of
each of them shall be submitted to the President, and the Council of
Ministers shall continue to function until such time as the new
government is appointed. The President can appoint a caretaker for
a maximum period of three months for the ministries having no
minister.

Article 136: The President can dismiss the ministers and in such a
case he must obtain a vote of confidence for the new minister(s) from
the Assembly. In case half of the members of the Council of
Ministers are changed after the government has received its vote of
confidence from the Assembly, the government must seek a fresh
vote of confidence from the Assembly.

Article 137: Each of the ministers is responsible for his duties to the
President and the Assembly, but in meters approved by the Council
of Ministers as a whole, he is also responsible for the actions of the
others.

Article 138: In addition to instances in which the Council of
Ministers or a single minister is authorized to frame procedures for
the implementation of laws, the Council of Ministers has the right to
lay down rules, regulations, and procedures for performing its
administrative duties, ensuring the implementation of laws, and
setting up administrative bodies. Each of the ministers also has the
right to frame regulations and issue circular in matters within his
jurisdiction and in conformity with the decisions of the Council of
Ministers. However, the content of all such regulations must not
violate the letter or the spirit of the law. The government can entrust
any portion of its task to the commissions. composed of some
ministers. The decisions of such commissions within the rules will be
binding after the endorsement of the President. The ratification and
the regulations of the government and the decisions of the
commissions mentioned under this Article shall also be brought to
the notice of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly while
being communicated for implementation so that in the event he finds
them contrary to law, he may send the same stating the reason for
reconsideration by the Council of Ministers.

Article 139: The settlement, of claims relating to public and state
property or the referral thereof to arbitration is in every case
dependent on the approval of the Council of Ministers, and the
Assembly must be informed of these matters. In cases where one
party to the dispute is a foreigner, as well as in important cases that
are purely domestic, the approval of the Assembly must also be
obtained. Law will specify the important cases intended here.

Article 140: Allegations of common crimes against the President, his
deputies, and the ministers will be investigated in common courts of
justice with the' knowledge of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Article 141: The President, the deputies to the President, ministers,
and government employees cannot hold more than one government
position, and it is forbidden for them to hold any kind of additional
post in institutions of which all or a part of the capital belongs to the
government or public institutions, to be a member of the Islamic
Consultative Assembly, to practice the profession of attorney or legal
adviser, or to hold the post of president, managing director, or
membership of the board of directors of any kind of private company,
with the exception of cooperative companies affiliated to the
government departments and institutions. Teaching positions in
universities and research institutions are exempted from this rule.

Article 142: The assets of the Leader, the President, the deputies to
the President, and ministers, as well as those of their spouses and
offspring, are to be examined before and after their term of office by
the head of the judicial power, in order to ensure they have not
increased in a fashion contrary to law.

Article 143: The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible
for guarding the independence and territorial integrity of the country,
as well as the order of the Islamic Republic.

Article 144: The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be an
Islamic Army, i.e., committed to Islamic ideology and the people, and
must recruit into its service individuals who have faith in the
objectives of the Islamic Revolution and are devoted to the cause of
realizing its goals.

Article 145: No foreigner will be accepted into the Army or security
forces of the country.

Article 146: The establishment of any kind of foreign military base in
Iran, even for peaceful purposes, is forbidden.

Article 147: In time of peace, the government must utilize the
personnel and technical equipment of the Army in relief operations,
and for educational and productive ends, and the Construction Jihad,
while fully observing the criteria of Islamic justice and ensuring that
such utilization does not harm the combat-readiness of the Army.

Article 148: All forms of personal use of military vehicles,
equipment, and other means, as well as taking advantage of Army
personnel as personal servants and chauffeurs or in similar
capacities, are forbidden.

Article 149: Promotions in military rank and their withdrawal take
place in accordance with the law.

Article 150: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, organized in the
early days of the triumph of the Revolution, is to be maintained so
that it may continue in its role of guarding the Revolution and its
achievements. The scope of the duties of this Corps, and its areas of
responsibility, in relation to the duties and areas of responsibility of
the other armed forces, are to be determined by law, with emphasis
on brotherly cooperation and harmony among them.

Article 151: In accordance with the noble Qur'anic verse: (Prepare
against them whatever force you are able to muster, and horses ready
for battle, striking fear into God's enemy and your enemy, and others
beyond them unknown to you but known to God... [8:60]).

The government is oblige to provide a programme of military
training, with all requisite facilities, fob all its citizens, in accordance
with the Islamic criteria, in such a way that all citizens will always be
able to engage in the armed defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The possession of arms, however, requires the granting of permission
by the competent authorities.

The Presidential Election Laws of the Islamic

Republic of Iran General

Article 1: The term of presidency is 4 years starting from the day the
Leader signs the relevant letter of confirmation.

Article 2: The president's confirmation letter shall be prepared by
the Guardian Council and submitted to the Leader.

Article 5: In the event the Guardian Council nullifies the results of
the presidential election for whatever reason, the Ministry of the
Interior, with the advice and consent of the Guardian Council, shall
hold another election at the first possible convenient time.

Article 8: Supervision of the presidential election is the
responsibility of the Guardian Council. This supervision is all
encompassing and is inclusive of all levels and details of the
presidential election process.

Article 9: In case vote counting is performed by counting machines
in several or all cities of a province, the computer system should be
designed and devised in such a manner that access to its software and
hardware facilities would not be possible without the presence of the
representatives of the Guardian Council, in all stages of the election
process. The relevant decisions on keeping the computer software
and hardware shall be made jointly by the Guardian Council and the
Ministry of the Interior. All software ballots should be approved by
the Guardian Council prior to the election, thereupon sealed
(software lock) in order to be installed and made operational with the
presence of the representative of the Guardian Council and the
Ministry of the Interior, on a pre-agreed upon timetable. Any and all
changes to the software should be notified to and approved by the
Guardian Council.

Quality of the Elections

Article 10: The elections shall be a direct and general election with a
concealed ballot.

Article 11: In case one of the approved presidential candidates
passes away 10 days before the election day, the election shall be
postponed by two weeks.

Article 12: The presidential election shall be valid when a candidate
receives an absolute majority of the votes.

Article 13: In the event none of the candidates receives the absolute
majority a runoff shall be held. The two candidates with the most
number of votes shall take part in the runoff presidential election.
Article 14: The runoff election shall be held on the Friday after the
original election.

Article 15: In case for whatever reason there is only one candidate
in the runoff elections, a new presidential election shall be called
forthwith.

Article 16: In case one of the candidates passes away during the
runoff elections, the election shall be automatically postponed for
two weeks.

Article 20: Polling stations throughout the country as well as
overseas shall be open for 10 hours, to be extended in case of
emergency.

Note 1: The determination of an emergency and the time period for
extension of polling hours is the responsibility of the Minister of the
Interior.

Note 2: Voting must take place on a Friday.

Article 22: In the event, during a presidential election another
election is also held, by the order of the Ministry of the Interior,
separate ballots or ballot boxes shall be arranged for both elections.

Article 23: The national radio and television (IRIB) must broadcast
educational programs regarding the election that have been deemed
necessary by the Interior Ministry and/or the Guardian Council
appointed supervisory committee. Moreover all announcements,
statements and proclamations about the election must be broadcast
from the IRIB or the local channels.

Article 24: The Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and other security
forces must provide a safe and secure environment and prevent
disorder for voting as well as guard and protect the ballot boxes. The
LEF, the security or military forces do not have the right to interfere
in the voting process or the supervision of ballot counting.

Article 25: In the hereunder cases the ballots (with the sanction of
the supervisory committee or its representative) shall be annulled but
included in the final vote count however recorded in the report:
1. Illegible ballot
2. Bought or sold ballots
3. Blank ballots

Article 26: In the following events the ballots (with the sanction of
the supervisory committee or its representative) shall be annulled
and not included in the final count but recorded in the report:

1. The seal of the ballot box has been broken.
2. Extra votes (more votes than ballots).
3. Underage votes.
4. Votes of those who have voted with a birth certificate of a
deceased person or a non-Iranian person.
5. Fraudulent votes.
6. Votes that have been cast with fake birth certificate
7. Repetitious votes.
8. Votes that have been cast by people who are not present.
9. Votes that have been cast under duress, threat or intimidation.
10. Votes cast on paper other than the election ballot.

Note 1: All votes that have been cast will be included in the report
but the nullified votes shall not be included in the final count.

Note 2: Regarding extra votes mentioned here above, a lottery shall
be held and a number of ballots equivalent to the extra votes shall be
deducted.

Article 31: The Interior Ministry is responsible for carrying out the
pertinent presidential election laws and regulation. Toward the above
objective, the Interior Ministry can assign supervisors and election
officials to oversee the election process. These officials can be
assigned to fixed locations or be mobile and attend to different
districts, cities and ballot boxes.

Article 32: After the election is held, the relevant report on the
outcome shall be prepared and signed jointly by the executive
committee and supervisors of each city. Four copies of this report
shall be prepared. One copy shall remain with the executive
committee of that particular city and the remaining three copies shall
go to the relevant city or district supervisors, the Interior Ministry
and the election central supervisory committee.

Article 33: The following acts shall be considered a crime:

1. Buying and selling of votes.
2. Mischief or sabotage in the ballot, the final report, etc.
3. Threat or intimidation in voting and the election process.
4. Voting with a fake birth certificate.
5. Voting with another person's birth certificate.
6. Voting more than once.
7. Disrupting the election process.
8. Adding or taking away from the ballot count total.
9. Fraud in the voting and ballot counting processes.
10. Counting the vote of someone who is not present.
11. Telling or suggesting to someone who to vote for by the people in
charge of the ballot boxes, the election officials or anyone else.
12. Changing, substituting, counterfeiting, stealing or destroying a
ballot or any election related materials or documents.

The Criteria for Voters and Candidates

Article 35: The candidates, who wish to be elected, should meet the
following conditions and criteria when announcing their candidacy:
1. Be from the ranks of distinguished religious and political figures.
2. Be of Iranian origin.
3. Be an Iranian citizen.
4. Be manager and prudent
5. Have excellent background, experience and track-record as well as
piety and devotion.
6. Be a good Muslim and have committed to the objectives of the
Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 36: The voters should have the following conditions and
criteria:
1. Have already entered the age of 16
2. Be sane

Executive Committee

Article 38: Immediately after the order to start the election by the
Ministry of the Interior, governors shall order district governors to
set up executive committees for the city composed of the governor as
the chairperson, head of the notary public, the prosecutor or his
representative, as well as 8 trusted and upstanding members of the
community.

Article 39: With the prior approval of the supervisory committee
and the written invitation of the governor, 30 trusted and upstanding
members of the community, shall hold a meeting, maximum 2 days
after receiving the official written invitation. A minimum of two thirds
of the candidates (20 people) should be present in the meeting also
to be attended by the supervisory committee. 8 principal trustees (if a
council does not exist) and 5 alternative trustees shall be appointed
to the executive committee through concealed ballot and simple
majority.

Article 40: There should be no family relations (biological or
relation through marriage) between the presidential candidates and
any members of the executive committee, the Guardian Council
appointed supervisory committee, officials in charge of the ballot
boxes and the election process, etc.
They include:

a) Biological relations: Father-mother-child-brother or sister
b) Relations through marriage: The Father, mother, brother or sister
of the spouse.

Article 43: The district executive committee shall immediately after
the trustees are appointed, hold a meeting and decide on the
locations and number of voting boots and places and accordingly, the
head of the executive committee shall notify the governor of the
details for his further action in the city's executive committee.

Article 47: The district and city executive committees after
publishing an election advertisement for each voting place, shall pick
5 local literate trustees and introduce them to the governor or the
district supervisor.

Article 50: The district executive committee can upon the approval
of the city's executive committee establish mobile voting boots for
mountainous, inaccessible and unreachable locations. The city's
executive committee can also set up mobile voting stations in the
center of town and other locations if it deems appropriate. The
Guardian Council appointed supervisory committee should approve
both of the above cases first. A representative of the supervisory
committee should be present near the mobile voting booth and file a
report after the voting is completed. Becoming a Candidate and
Procedures for Reviewing Qualification

Article 55: The presidential candidates or their authorized
representatives who have been introduced in writing, shall go to the
Interior Ministry within 5 days (after the election process has been
commenced by the order of the Interior Minister) and receive the
relevant candidacy forms and upon completion, return it to the
Ministry of the Interior accompanied with, 4 copies of all pages of
birth certificate, 12 6x4 photographs (latest picture taken in the same
year), upon receipt.

Note: Any candidate who wishes to decline participation in the
presidential election shall personally or through his authorized
representative submit a written letter to the Ministry of the Interior
announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential race.

Article 56: After the deadline for becoming a candidate expires, the
Interior Ministry shall immediately submit the relevant
documentation of the candidates to the secretariat of the Guardian
Council.

Article 57: The Guardian Council shall rule on the qualifications of
the candidates within 5 days of receiving their relevant documents.
The ruling of the Guardian Council shall be made into a report, a
copy of which shall be sent o the Ministry of Interior.

Note: In cases of emergency, and with the consent of the Guardian
Council, the above mentioned date (in Article 57) shall be extended
by maximum 5 days and the Ministry of the Interior shall be
accordingly notified.

Article 58: After the legal period has expired, if new evidence
surfaces that would indicate that the presidential candidate is not
qualified, the Guardian Council shall review the matter and its ruling
shall be announced to the public by the Ministry of the Interior.

    Publicity

Article 62: In order to ensure equal access to government facilities
by the presidential candidates a commission titled the Presidential
Election Publicity Review Board Commission shall be established in
the Interior Ministry and upon the invitation of the Minister of
Interior.

Article 63: The Presidential Election Publicity Review Board
Commission shall consist of:

1. Chief Prosecutor of the country or his empowered representative.
2. The Interior Minister or his empowered representative.
3. The president of the IRIB (Rd/TV) or his empowered
representative.

Article 64: Promotional advertisements and programs by the
presidential candidates shall not be live and must be on tape for
broadcast on IRIB.

Article 65: Presidential candidates who have been qualified by the
Guardian Council and their names have been announced by the
Ministry of the Interior are legally entitled to use on a equal basis the
national radio and television (IRIB) for their introduction and
putting forth their proposals and programs. The Publicity Review
Board Commission shall work out the details.

Article 66: The election campaigns of the presidential candidates
shall officially commence from the date their names are announced
by the Ministry of the Interior until 24 hours before the Election Day.

Article 67: Promotional activities for the runoff (second round)
elections shall start from the official date of announcement of the
first round of voting and shall continue until 24 hours before the
runoff election is held.

Article 68: Any advertisement or promotion for or against a
presidential candidate once their candidacy is legally declared, is
prohibited by Friday prayer leaders, as well as any and all
government and official organizations which are publicly funded. The
offenders shall be prosecuted as criminals.

Note 1: Publicly funded institutions and organizations, such as the
Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (MJF) are included in the
above noted article.

Note 2: Related government organizations, foundations, etc. and
their members (if their official position or post is made public) shall
not issue placards, posters, advertisements, etc. for or against a
certain presidential candidate.

Article 70: It is absolutely forbidden to remove or tear legal (time
and location wise) advertisements related to a presidential candidate.
Such an act shall be considered as a crime.

Article 71: Volunteers and supporters of a presidential candidate
are absolutely not allowed to disrespect or dishonor other
presidential candidates. The relevant offenders shall be accordingly
prosecuted.

Article 72: The relevant election and ballot box officials must clear
any and all advertisements and promotional items from the voting
places.

Article 74: The printing press and the media are not allowed to
publish any material against a presidential candidate from three days
before the election is due to be held. In any event, the candidates
have the right to respond to the relevant publication or newspaper
within 18 hours through the Ministry of the Interior. The said
newspaper or publication is obligated to print the response immediately and prior to the
deadline mentioned here above, according to the Press Law. In case the under
discussion publication does not go into print before the advertising
prohibition deadline, the person in charge of the relevant newspaper
must send the response to another publication to be printed before
the deadline at his own expense and the newspaper must publish the
response. The publication of these materials 3 days before the
Election Day is also prohibited in non-publications and a candidate
who has an objection has the right to respond before the deadline.

    Complaints and Investigation Procedures

Article 78: Announcing the outcome of the investigation into the
presidential election complaints through radio, television, press, etc.
falls under the responsibilities of the Guardian Council.

Article 79: The Guardian Council shall pronounce its view on the
presidential election within one week and at maximum 10 days after
receiving the results of the presidential voting. The ruling by the
Guardian Council shall be reported to the Ministry of the Interior
and the Interior Ministry shall then make public the results through
radio, television, the press, etc.

Article 80: The executive committees shall receive the submitted
complaints from the date when the qualification of the candidates
had been approved until two days after the election results have been
officially announced. Moreover, they must attend to the relevant
complaint within 24 hours after receiving it in a joint meeting
consisting of the executive committee and the Guardian Council
appointed supervisors in the city where the complaint had been filed.
The result of their finding shall be made into a digest and reported to
the Ministry of the Interior.

Note 1: Those people who have a compliant about how the election
was conducted, can submit their written complaint to the Guardian
Council appointed supervisors or the secretariat of the Guardian
Council, within three days after election day.

Note 2: Only those complaints can be followed up by the relevant
authorities and attended to that have the full information of the
plaintiff including name, address, occupation, phone (if available),
etc.

Note 3: In the event the plaintiff does not have the necessary
documentation to back up its charges and has accused the election
volunteers with malicious intent, he may be legally prosecuted.

Note 4: The complaint and its review process shall be confidential
and its divulgence is prohibited.

Note 5: The inspectors shall submit their reports exclusively to the
relevant legal authorities.

Article 81: Complaints submitted during the election process to the
executive committee shall not stop the election process. These
complaints shall be attended to, in due course.

Article 82: The executive committee after reviewing the relevant
complaints and reports, and in the event it determines that there have
been irregularities in the voting, with the consent of the Guardian
Council, may nullify the pertinent ballot boxes in one or several
districts.

Article 83: The Interior Minister upon receiving the confirmation
letter from the Guardian Council shall introduce the president-elect
to the Leader or the leadership council.
Note: The viewpoints of experts and personalities shall be deemed
legal when the position and the office they hold is not indulged and
moreover a written document with their signature is submitted to the
election executive committee.

    Law on Supervision of Guardian Council over Presidential
    Elections of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Article 1: According to Article 99 of the constitution of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, the Guardian Council is charged with supervision
over the presidential elections of Iran.

Article 2: Before the election day, the Guardian Council shall assign
two of its members in addition to 5 other faithful and trusted
Muslims who are also wise, knowledgeable and experienced by
unanimous vote as the presidential election central supervisory
committee and introduce them to the Ministry of the Interior.
Moreover, the Guardian Council shall appoint 3 alternative members
to the committee.

Article 3: The election central supervisory committee may hold its
offices in the Interior Ministry, if the Guardian Council decides.

Article 4: The election central supervisory committee shall oversee
and supervise any and all activities related to the presidential
elections inducing but not limited to the different stages of the
election, the election campaign, the actions and performance of the
Ministry of the Interior, the performance of the executive
committees, etc.

Article 5: The election central supervisory committee must assign
and appoint supervisor(s) to different cities conforming to the
conditions noted in Article 2 hereinabove.
Note: The Guardian Council may (if it deems appropriate and
necessary) assign and appoint some or all of the supervisors directly.

Article 6: The election central supervisory committee or supervisors
all around the country have absolute supervision authority over the
quality of the election and shall report in writing any irregularities,
mischief or fraud in the election process. The governors, district
governors, etc. must act to remedy the relevant problems or
irregularities. In case the Interior Ministry officials do not heed their
recommendations, the supervisors shall report their findings to the
election central supervisory committee appointed by the Guardian
Council.

Article 7: The Guardian Council shall in all stages and in the event
irregularity or fraud has been established, annul or stop the election
either in selected areas and cities or in the entire country and shall
furthermore pronounce its reasoning for taking such an action
through radio, television, press, etc. The ruling by the Guardian
Council on such matters is definite, binding and irreversible. No
other organization has the authority whatsoever to nullify or stop a
presidential election.

Note: The election central supervisory committee shall send all
relevant documentation or evidence, which would attest to the
unhealthiness of the election or the need to stop the voting, to the
Guardian Council for review and eventual decision.

Article 8: Pursuant to the order by the Ministry of the Interior to
start the election, the Guardian Council may order that the election
be stopped if irregularities, fraud, mischief or other justifiable
reasons have been observed.

Article 9: In the event the vote stoppages or ballot nullification by
the Guardian Council in some areas affects the result of the
presidential election, the voting shall recommence at the first
opportunity before the election results for the whole country are
announced.

Article 10: In the event the supervisor(s) finds some ballot boxes
unlawful, the matter shall be reported to the local executive
committee. In case the local executive committee does not concur
with the view of the supervisor(s), the case shall be referred to the
election central supervisory committee. The ruling of the election
central supervisory committee whatever maybe shall not be
considered valid unless it receives the consent of the Guardian
Council.

Article 11: The executive committees are obligated to report to the
supervisors assigned by the Guardian Council. In cases where the
signature of the executive committee is required, the signature of the
supervisor is also required.

Article 12: The Interior Ministry must obtain the prior consent of
the Guardian Council before holding the election.

The Supreme National Security Council

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is an institution
founded in the course of revision of the Constitution of the Islamic
Republic of Iran. The SNSC has been established with an aim to
watch over the Islamic Revolution and safeguard the IRI's national
interests as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Article 177 of the Constitution, the responsibilities of
the SNSC are as follows:
1. To determine the national defense/security policies within the
framework of general policies laid down by the Leader.
2. To coordinate political, intelligence, social, cultural and economic
activities in relation to general defense/security policies.
3. To exploit material and non-material resources of the country for
facing internal and external threats. Commensurate with its
responsibilities, the Supreme National Security Council has
established sub-committees such as defense subcommittee and
national security sub-committee. The sub-committees are headed by
the President or one of the members of the SNSC appointed by the
President.

Limits of authorities and functions of the sub-committees are laid
down by law, and their organizational structure are approved by the
SNSC. Approvals of the SNSC shall be enforceable after ratification
of the Leader. The members of the SNSC consists of:
- Heads of the three Powers (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary)
- Chief of the Supreme Command Council of the Armed Forces
(SCCAF)
- The official in charge of the Plan an Budget Organization (PBO)
- Two representatives nominated by the Leader
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of
Information (Intelligence)
- A minister concerned with the subject, and the highest authorities
of the Army and the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC).

Foreign Policy

The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based upon the
rejection of all forms of domination, both the exertion of it and
submission to it, the preservation of the independence of the country
in all respects and its territorial integrity, the defence of the rights of
all Muslims, non-alignment with respect to the hegemonist
superpowers,and the maintenance of mutually peaceful relations with
all non-belligerent States. Any form of agreement resulting in foreign
control over the natural resources, economy, army, or culture of the
country, as well as other aspects of the national life, is forbidden.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has as its ideal human felicity
throughout human society, and considers the attainment of
independence, freedom, and rule of justice and truth to be the right
of all people of the world. Accordingly, while scrupulously refraining
from all forms of interference in the internal affairs of other nations,
it supports the just struggles of the mustad'afun against the
mustakbirun in every corner of the globe.

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran may grant political
asylum to those who seek it unless they are regarded as traitors and
saboteurs according to the laws of Iran.