Khamenei: Military and Security Forces Should Not Engage in Electoral Classifications

According to the general policies on 'Elections' in Iran, which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei communicated to the heads of the three branches of government and the chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council on Saturday, the entry of military, intelligence, and security forces into 'political and electoral classifications' has been declared prohibited. The full text of this directive, which includes 18 articles, was published on the official website of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on Saturday, October 16, and in Article 16, 'support for candidates' by armed forces and the three branches of government and intelligence and security agencies is prohibited. This article has been included in the directive at a time when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij Organization have been mentioned as two military and paramilitary entities intervening in elections held in the country for several years. The commanders of these two forces have always stated in response to criticisms of military involvement in elections and politics that their activities are aimed at 'preserving' the Islamic Republic and confronting its 'enemies.' Article 16 of this directive is one of the first and most official positions of Ali Khamenei regarding the prohibition of military and security forces' entry into the electoral arena. The Supreme Leader has previously made fewer statements on such topics. By issuing the general policies on 'Elections,' Ali Khamenei emphasized the implementation of laws, maintaining conditions, and issues in elections, some of which are demands of many political activists and others are criticized and protested by them. The first article of this directive is dedicated to 'determining electoral districts' based on 'population and unavoidable necessities' that lead to the maximum realization of 'electoral justice.' Article four emphasizes the necessity of 'determining the limits and types of electoral costs and permissible and impermissible resources, clarifying the sources and costs of electoral candidates and political organizations.' In this article, Khamenei has requested that relevant authorities conduct 'strict oversight' on the financial resources of candidates and organizations and determine the 'method and manner of dealing with financial violations.' Article five prohibits 'any form of destruction, threats, bribery, deception, and promises beyond legal authority and any action contrary to national security,' stating that 'ethnic and religious division in electoral propaganda' is among the issues contrary to national security. In Article six, Khamenei has prohibited 'the use of foreign support and resources, both financial and promotional, by candidates and parties' and has requested relevant authorities to 'respond promptly' to these matters. Article seven emphasizes the necessity of 'preventing electoral crimes and violations' and 'prompt and out-of-turn handling of security, financial, and promotional crimes' in elections. In five notes under Article 10 of this directive, Khamenei has stressed the necessity of 'precisely determining the criteria and indicators and general and specific conditions of candidates within the framework of the Constitution.' 'Thorough examination and verification of the necessary conditions for candidates' eligibility,' 'taking necessary arrangements to minimize the prohibition of the presence of working candidates,' and 'defining and announcing the criteria and necessary conditions for identifying political, religious, and managerial candidates for the presidency by the Guardian Council' are among the most important notes of this article. In Article 11 of the general policies on 'Elections,' the supervision of the Guardian Council 'over processes, dimensions, and stages of elections... including the final approval of candidates' qualifications, handling complaints, and confirming or annulling elections' is emphasized. Khamenei has also requested that the Guardian Council provide a written response regarding the reasons for annulling elections and disqualifying candidates upon their request. 'Utilizing modern technologies to maximize transparency, speed, and integrity in receiving and counting votes and announcing results' and 'determining the necessary mechanisms for the proper execution of representative duties' are other articles of this directive. Article 14 emphasizes 'relative stability of electoral laws,' and Article 15 emphasizes 'safeguarding the freedom and integrity of elections and the right of individuals to choose freely and protecting the votes of the people as a trust.' This directive has been issued while the twelfth round of Iran's presidential elections is scheduled to be held on May 29, 2017.