Why Iran’s Election Is A Self Fulfilling Prophecy

Iranians went to the polls Friday to engage in what could be one of the most important elections in the Islamic Republic’s history, but some experts and observers argue the results have already been determined in advance.

Iranians cast ballots for both the Iranian parliament (Majlis) and the Assembly of Experts, the small group responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader — Iran’s top political official who serves for life. Though millions of Iranians are expected to participate in the election, the candidates they can choose are vetted ahead of time.

“Like the parliamentary election … [the Assembly of Experts] results are largely foreordained, as the only candidates allowed to run are those deemed to pose no challenge to the ruling hardline establishment,” wrote Saeed Ghasseminejad, a fellow at the Foundation For Defense of Democracies who specializes in Iranian politics, in a Friday article.

Ghasseminejad’s doubt comes from the fact that the Guardian Council, a group of 12 clerics hand-picked by the ruling Supreme Leader, has culled 80 percent of eligible candidates from the Assembly of Experts race in order to ensure only a fellow hardliner will take over as Supreme Leader when Ali Khomeini dies.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/26/why-irans-election-is-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy/#ixzz41VBx5wPZ