The spokesperson for the Guardian Council, referring to the remarks of Ayatollah Momen, one of the council's jurists, stated that "it is possible that during the continued review of qualifications, a candidate who did not participate in the exam may have their conditions for ijtihad confirmed and be able to participate in the elections." On Thursday, January 7, the Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts reported that Najatollah Ebrahimiann also denied that individuals who did not participate in the recent Assembly of Experts exam were disqualified. The spokesperson explained: "Withdrawing from candidacy has its own specific regulations. According to Clause 2 of Article 23 of the Assembly of Experts election regulations, candidates who intend to withdraw must submit their written request personally or through a legal representative to the governorates of their registration area." Meanwhile, Mr. Ebrahimiann had previously stated: "Any of the invited candidates who did not participate in the scientific exam of the Assembly of Experts will not have their scientific qualifications confirmed, and the esteemed jurists of the Guardian Council cannot certify the scientific qualifications of these candidates under these circumstances." The spokesperson added that these conditions "may lead to the disqualification of that candidate." These remarks come after several prominent candidates for the Assembly of Experts refrained from participating in the exam organized by the Guardian Council. Hassan Khomeini, Morteza Aghatehrani, and Mahmoud Amjad were among those who did not take the exam. The Guardian Council announced that this exam was conducted to ascertain the existence of the "ijtihad" condition among candidates for the Assembly of Experts. Close associates of Hassan Khomeini, who is the grandson of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, stated that he was not invited to attend the exam. They also mentioned that Mr. Khomeini has permission for ijtihad from several Shia sources of emulation, and therefore did not need to participate in the Guardian Council's exam. The elections for the Assembly of Experts will be held simultaneously with the elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly on March 1 of this year.
Guardian Council: The eligibility of absent candidates in the Assembly of Experts exam may be confirmed
The Guardian Council has indicated that candidates who did not participate in the Assembly of Experts exam may still have their qualifications confirmed. This comes after several prominent candidates, including Hassan Khomeini, abstained from the exam, raising questions about the electoral process. The situation is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions within Iran's political landscape and the role of the Guardian Council.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Guardian Council indicated that candidates who did not take the Assembly of Experts exam might still have their qualifications confirmed, raising concerns about the electoral process. This comes after several prominent candidates, including Hassan Khomeini, abstained from the exam.
- The Assembly of Experts elections are scheduled for March 1.
- Candidates must meet specific qualifications, including the ability to perform ijtihad, to be eligible.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Assembly of Experts is a significant body in Iran responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader, making its elections crucial for the country's political future. The Guardian Council plays a key role in determining who can run for office.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%