Iranian MP's Resign to Protest Bans on Reform Candidates in Elections

Over one hundred MPs in Iran's parliament resign to protest the Guardian Council of the Constitution banning over 3,600 reform and independent candidates from the upcoming general elections. The Guardian Council of the Constitution is a 12-member council that exercises significant but unchecked, unelected power over the Iranian government and society.

Conservative candidates did very poorly in the 2000 elections and most people conclude that the two are connected: reform and independent candidates are disqualified for no other reason but to make it easier for conservative candidates to win. This is neither the first nor the last time the Guardian Council of the Constitution disqualifies political candidates for little or no reason in a transparent attempt to rig Iranian elections.