99% of Iran’s reformist parliamentary candidates rejected

TEHRAN (AFP)– Iran’s long-sidelined reformist movement on Monday demanded a review after only one percent of its parliamentary election candidates were approved, prompting allegations turnout would suffer.

The vast rejection of candidates — monitors said about 60 percent of more than 12,000 would-be MPs were barred — could damage the credibility and legitimacy of the February 26 ballot, analysts said.

Those seeking to become lawmakers in Iran must first be screened by the Guardian Council, a conservative-dominated committee of clerics and jurists, before running.

The vetting procedure has been contentious for months, as the poll is an opportunity for reformists and moderate politicians to make gains against a currently dominant conservative camp in parliament.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-reformists-demand-review-after-candidates-rejected/