Executive organs & Iran’s presidential election

Dr. Mohammad Javad Mahmoudian Tafreshi, political expert, says, “In every election the government is the executive. In the provinces the governor generals observe all elections but in the elections of city councils and village councils, the government is the observer. The only election which is not observed by the Guardians’ Council is the city and village council election.”

The mechanisms adopted for different elections in Iran have considered complete transparency and accuracy which materializes within the executive and observation boards.

The executive board headed by the Interior Ministry assumes the basic and important duty of holding elections. According to the article 3 of the first tenet of the presidential election law, “The Interior Ministry must make the preparations for the new round of election at least 5 months prior to the end of the four year term and, observing tenet 119 of the Islamic Republic Constitution, it should inform the public via mass media about holding of election and the date of start of the nominees’ enrolment.”

According to article 7 of the presidential election law; the executive bylaw of this election is prepared by the Interior Ministry and it is put into effect through the ratification of the Cabinet.

Within this framework, as of four months ago, the Ministry of Interior as the main organization responsible for executive board of Iran’s presidential election was formed, and upon establishment of the national elections headquarters at the venue of the Interior Ministry, the first step was taken in the process of holding of Iran’s presidential vote. Thereafter, the registration of presidential hopefuls was carried out at the Ministry of Interior within a period of five days as of April 11-15, and the Ministry of Interior, as the main holder and organizer of elections, presented the names of the presidential hopefuls to the Guardian Council; which plays a fateful role in Iran’s presidential vote, as the supervisory board on the elections.

The political pundit, Dr. Mohammad Javad Mahmoudian, notes:  “Supervision of elections is the duty of the Guardian Council. With the exception of Islamic City and Village Council elections, all elections are vetted by the Guardian Council. In addition to its supervisory role on elections, the Guardian Council is also responsible for qualification or disqualification of the presidential nominees.”

According to the 8^th Article of the 1^st Principle of Iran’s presidential elections, supervision of the presidential vote is the duty of Guardian Council.

Based on Iran presidential elections law, the Ministry of Interior, as the organizer of elections, should make the necessary predictions, with establishment of different executive boards in order to take into consideration all of the executive aspects of elections.

Governors-general across Iran act as the executive arm of elections, playing a decisive role in the process of election, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. Receipt of votes from all eligible voters on the day of presidential elections on May 19, 2017, is the main duty of the Ministry of Interior and its executive boards within polling stations.

Political activist, Dr. Dariush Mahdavi notes: “In our country, elections usually takes place in four forms; namely presidential, legislative, Islamic city and village councils, and Assembly of Experts elections. All of these elections are organized by the Ministry of Interior, provincial and city organizations. Another pillar of elections is the supervisory board. According to law, supervision of presidential and legislative elections is the duty of the Guardian Council. The supervision of the Assembly of Experts election is also the responsibility of the Guardian Council. Supervision of the Islamic Councils is shouldered by lawmakers.”

 The representatives of the Ministry of Interior and even the representatives of presidential hopefuls supervise the executive process of elections, manifesting the emphasis which the sacred Islamic system puts on holding healthy and accurate elections.

In general, the Ministry of Interior and its executive boards are responsible for the executive management of elections, making every effort to monitor and solve any possible problem and short coming. Thus, Iran’s presidential elections have always captured the attention of policymakers, citizens, and even different countries and media, worldwide.

Political expert, Dr. Dariush Mahdavi notes: “When the minister of interior orders the implementation of elections, executive boards are established. The executive boards of cities is comprised of head of Registry Office, head of the Education Department, governor, and eight local trustees. In the districts’ executive boards, the head of the district and the official in charge of the Agricultural Jihad Department are added to the other members of the executive and administrative board; in addition to seven local trustees. In cities, the local trustees are chosen by the governor, and throughout districts, the head of the district elects thirty trustees. Later on, the supervisory board holds a meeting, in which eight trustees are chosen for every city, and seven trustees are chosen for each district.”

MR/ME