Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country located in the Middle East. It operates as an Islamic republic with a mixed political system. Here is some information about the election system in Iran:
- Presidential Elections: The President of Iran is the head of state and the second-highest-ranking official in the country. The President is elected directly by the people through a two-round system. Candidates for the presidency must be approved by the Guardian Council, a body responsible for vetting candidates for elections. If no candidate receives an absolute majority (50% + 1 vote) in the first round, a second round is held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. The President serves as the executive authority in the country. Presidential elections in Iran occur every four years.
- Parliament Elections: The Islamic Consultative Assembly, also known as the Majlis, is the legislative body of Iran. Members of the Majlis, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), are elected through a two-round system. The candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council. The seats in the Majlis are apportioned among constituencies based on population, and each constituency elects multiple MPs. Parliamentary elections in Iran occur every four years.
- Guardian Council: The Guardian Council is a powerful body in Iran responsible for supervising elections and ensuring compliance with the principles of Islam and the Iranian constitution. It consists of 12 members, six of whom are Islamic jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader, and the other six are legal experts nominated by the head of the judiciary and approved by the parliament.
- Assembly of Experts: The Assembly of Experts is a deliberative body responsible for appointing and supervising the Supreme Leader of Iran. Members of the Assembly are directly elected by the people through a two-round system. The Assembly is elected every eight years.
- Expediency Discernment Council: The Expediency Discernment Council is a consultative body that arbitrates disputes between the parliament and the Guardian Council. It is responsible for providing guidance to the Supreme Leader and making decisions on important matters of state. The members of the council are appointed by the Supreme Leader.
It is important to note that the election processes in Iran are subject to scrutiny and criticism from both domestic and international observers. The Guardian Council’s role in vetting candidates has been a topic of controversy, as it has the authority to disqualify candidates based on its interpretation of Islamic principles and the constitution.
