Iran Supreme Leader may approve changes to election policies

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic announced that he will approve the changes in “general policies of the elections” which is under discussion in the Expediency Council, provided that he believes in their necessity.

These statements were published by Ayatollah Khamenei’s news outlet today in reference to a meeting the Supreme Leader held with members of the Assembly of Experts.

In the meeting where Ayatollah Rafsanjani was also present, Ayatollah Khamenei maintained that the opinion of the Expediency Council regarding election policies is “debatable” and once he is informed of their decision, he will enforce what he deems necessary.

Iran’s Expediency Council is in the process of reviewing and planning changes to the general policies concerning elections.

Mostafa PourMohammadi Zamani, former Interior Minister, submitted the plan for reform of election policies to the Expediency Council to be considered with the approval of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Reform of election laws is one of the demands of opposition leaders, MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad supporters claim that the Expediency Council is trying to do away with the Guardian Council which is charged with approving candidacy of politicians in the elections.

Ayatollah Khamenei has announced that the legal responsibilities of the Guardian Council must not be interfered with. He added that in examining the proposal at hand in the Expediency Council, some may commit errors, but errors can be remedied.