Ministry Rejects Council's Claims Over Scrapping By-Election
Officials at the Interior Ministry and the provincial governor's office in Ardebil are of the opinion that the allegation of lack of security in the region is not true," the Department for Elections of the Interior Ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The Guardian Council had earlier announced a decision cancelling by-elections for the Sixth Parliament scheduled in June 8 in Khalkhal, alleging "security concerns" and inability of the constituency to fulfill necessary preparations for the upcoming elections.
The Interior Ministry further said it was caught by surprise by the council's decision to scrap by-elections in Khalkhal, since it had earlier given the go-ahead for elections to be held in that constituency.
"According to the Constitution, the Interior Ministry has the power to decide whether security exists in a constituency.
Fierce riots broke out in the city after votes obtained by a winning candidate in the parliamentary elections held in February was declared null and void and another candidate, an incumbent for four consecutive terms, was declared the winner. Majlis (Parliament), however, later rejected his credentials.
Meanwhile, top election watchdog came under heavy fire again Friday by a leading reformist party over what the latter called the former's "wholesale" disqualification of mostly reformist hopefuls from legislative by-elections, set for June 8, the same day as crucial presidential vote.
The pro-reform Islamic Revolution's Mojahedin Organization in a an open letter said the rejection of some 145 hopefuls of the Majlis by-election by the Guardian Council, charged with vetting procedures, has been "politically-motivated."
"It seems that they have been disqualified due to their support for (reformist President Mohammad) Khatami, membership in (reformist) 2nd Khordad Front and affiliation to reformist faction," the letter said.