29 Mar 2024
Wednesday 5 December 2012 - 18:13
Story Code : 13036

Iranian students protest amendment to presidential election law

Iranian students protest amendment to presidential election law
[caption id="attachment_13037" align="alignright" width="300"] Iranian students protesting in front of Iran Majlis[/caption]
A group of Iranian university students gathered on Tuesday in front of Irans Majlis (parliament) to protest the amendment to the countrys presidential election law, particularly changes related to article 35 of the current regulations.
The amendment, the general outline of which was approved by the Iranian lawmakers on Monday, introduces many changes to the election law. According to the bill, presidential candidates should be 45-75 years of age and are required to have a master's degree.

Moreover, the bill specifies that the presidential candidates must be approved by at least 25 members of the Experts Assembly, 100 members of Irans Majlis and 200 individuals who have served in the Majlis, been a cabinet minister, vice-president, deputy minister, ambassador and governor, secretary general of a political party and legal organizations.

Protesters carried banners that read, Indebted president is not independent or How much costs a signature, We do not want a president indebted to power and money, Amendment to article 35 means banning independent candidates.

The student said that by imposing such qualifications on presidential candidates, the government would fall in the hands of specific groups which is against Irans religious democracy.

The protesters are reportedly mainly from the same group that attacked Britains embassy last year and are supporters of Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Addressing the protesters, Iranian lawmaker Kazem Jalili said the article 35 of the amendment is against the Constitution and therefore would probably be omitted.

Meanwhile, Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead has called on Majlis not to amend the national elections law as it is against the Constitution.
https://theiranproject.com/vdcep78z.jh8xxik1bj.html
Your Name
Your Email Address