1,500 more candidates cleared for Iran parliamentary polls

Siyamak Rahpeyk, the spokesman for Iran’s Central Elections Supervising Committee, said on Saturday that with the new approvals, a total of 6,300 candidates will be taking part in the race to secure parliamentary seats in the polls slated for this month.

He further noted that some 55 percent of those who had registered have received approval, setting a record in the history of the parliamentary elections.

At least 21 people will compete for each seat in the legislature, said the official, adding that a list of approved candidates has been sent to Iran’s Interior Ministry.

The next elections for the 10th Majlis (parliament) and the 5th Assembly of Experts will take place simultaneously on February 26.

The Iranian parliament, officially known as the Islamic Consultative Assembly, is a 290-seat legislative body with 207 constituencies. Its members are elected every four years, and former and current members can be re-elected.

The high-ranking body of the Assembly of Experts also elects and oversees the activities of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, and is in a position of authority to either appoint or dismiss the Leader.

Members of the Assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. The body holds meetings twice a year to review major national issues and every other year to appoint a new chairman.