How many representatives minorities have in Iran’s Parliament
-
A woman from the religious minorities participated in voting in the 12th Iranian parliamentary elections.
Pars Today — According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, religious minorities in the country, like all citizens, are respected under the law, free to practice their religious ceremonies, and allowed to follow their own personal status laws.
Under Article 64 of the Constitution, each officially recognized religious minority is entitled to one representative in the Iranian Parliament.
According to Pars Today, Siamak Meresedq, who represented the Jewish minority in the 8th, 9th, and 10th parliamentary terms, stated that in Iran, every 300,000 citizens elect one parliamentary representative, while the total population of all religious minorities is less than 300,000. Yet, they have five representatives, which demonstrates that the constitutional lawmakers intended to ensure minority communities have a voice in Iran’s political processes.
In the 11th Iranian Parliament, Ara Shaverdian represented the Armenian Christians of northern Iran. In the 12th Parliament elections, he was re-elected with about 80% of the vote to continue representing northern Armenian Christians.
Robert Biglarian, who represented southern Armenian Christians in the 11th Parliament, was succeeded in the 12th Parliament by Geghard Mansourian.
Shaarli Anouyeh Tekyeh, representing Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, was re-elected in the 12th Parliament with around 90% of the vote.
The Jewish community once again elected Homayoun Sameh, their representative in the 11th Parliament, to serve in the 12th Parliament.
In the 11th Parliament, Esfandiar Akhtari represented the Zoroastrian community, but in the 12th Parliament, Behshid Barkhordar was elected as the Zoroastrian representative.
