Reformists set to allocate 50% of council seats to women, youth

TEHRAN – The reformists are intent upon allocating 50 percent of the council seats to women and the youth, the head of the reformists’ policy making council said on Tuesday.

Islamic Coalition Party to support principlist union

TEHRAN – The Islamic Coalition Party will support and follow any union among principlist groups in anticipation of the May presidential election, a party member said.

55 million Iranians qualified to vote in May elections

TEHRAN – The Interior Ministry has said that nearly 55 million people are qualified to vote in the May presidential elections.

Popular Front non-partisan, revolutionary

TEHRAN – The Popular Front of the Islamic Revolution Forces is a non-partisan, revolutionary group, a member told a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday evening.

Interior Ministry prepared for a mid-term Assembly election

TEHRAN – The Interior Ministry is prepared in case of an order for a mid-term Assembly of Experts election, Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said on Monday.

New political group announces formation

TEHRAN – The Front for Development, Welfare, and Justice announced its formation on Monday, ISNA reported.

Electronic voting operational for council elections 

TEHRAN – The e-voting for the upcoming council elections has become final and is completely operational, said the head of IT committee at the election headquarters.

Interior Ministry to announce council elections signup on March 25

TEHRAN – The Interior Ministry will announce the signup days for council elections on March 25, spokesman Salman Samani told Mehr on Thursday.

Iran could have first female presidential candidate

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic’s first and only female minister, who had headed the Ministry of Health and Medical Education between 2009 and 2012, could also become the first woman in Iran to be running for presidency, ISNA reported.

Guardian Council to announce decision on e-voting in 10 days

TEHRAN – The Guardian Council will probably announce its decision about if and how to hold e-voting in the May 19 elections, ISNA reported on Saturday.

‘Mid-term Assembly of Experts election entails request’

TEHRAN – The spokesman of the Guardian Council has said holding a mid-term election for the Assembly of Experts would require an official request by the assembly.

Aref: Reformists seek national dialogue

TEHRAN – A senior lawmaker said on Thursday that reformists are seeking a plan to promote national dialogue.

Popular Front applies for formal recognition

TEHRAN – The Popular Front of Revolution Forces has applied for formal recognition by the Ministry of Interior, the front’s public relations director Amir Ebrahim Rasouli said on Wednesday.

Bahonar: Parties should get subsidies based on their influence 

TEHRAN – The secretary general of the Islamic Society of Engineers has said he thinks political parties should receive subsidies according to their degree of influence.

Interior minister: Elections will be healthy 

TEHRAN – Iran’s interior minister has said the May 19 presidential and council elections will be held in full health and with complete observation of legal rules.

Bahonar: We endorse Popular Front candidate

TEHRAN – Mohammad Reza Bahonar, the secretary general of the Front of the Followers of the Line of Imam and Leadership, has said his group will endorse the candidate that will be introduced by the newly established Popular Front of Revolution Forces, Fars reported.

By Jason Le Miere

Will 2017 be better than 2016? Dates of key elections, major events that will shape the year ahead

As the year ends very much as it began – with political turmoil and shocking celebrity deaths – many are making clear they cannot wait for 2016 to come to an end. Yet there are far from any guarantees 2017 will be any better.

Some election booths may offer e-voting in May polls 

TEHRAN – The Guardian Council spokesman has said in the elections in May 2017 some booths may offer e-voting option.

Elections headquarters to start work in Tehran

TEHRAN – Presidential election headquarters is to start its activities in Tehran next week, Tehran Province’s Deputy Governor for Social and Political Affairs Shahabeddin Chavoshi told IRNA on Wednesday.

10 people become members of election headquarters 

TEHRAN – 10 people have been named to the Interior Ministry election headquarters, IRIB reported on Tuesday. 

IRIB launches elections office 

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting has launched a special headquarters for the 2017 presidential election, IRIB chief Abdolali Ali-Askari said on Friday.

Principlist group to name presidential candidate

TEHRAN – The Front of Followers of the Line of Imam and Leadership, a principlist group, said on Tuesday that it will name its candidate for the 2017 presidential election.

Iran appoints election headquarters chief 

TEHRAN – Iran’s interior minister on Monday announced that his political deputy Asqar Ahmadi has been chosen as the head of the election headquarters.

Islamic Coalition Party names Mirsalim as presidential candidate

TEHRAN – The Islamic Coalition Party has chosen Mostafa Mirsalim as its candidate for the 2017 presidential election, the Khorasan newspaper reported on Sunday.

‘Mohsen Rezaee has no decision to run for president’

TEHRAN – A new announcement by the secretariat of the Expediency Council said on Monday that Mohsen Rezaee, currently secretary of the council, has as of yet no decision to contest 2017 presidential election.

‘Rouhani still our choice’

TEHRAN – A member of Hope parliamentary group has said Hassan Rouhani is still their first choice for the 2017 presidential election.

Principlists not agreed on single candidate yet: Haddad-Adel

TEHRAN – A former MP and prominent principlist figure has said principlists have not yet agreed on a single candidate for the 2017 presidential election.

‘Political analysis of regional developments is difficult’

TEHRAN – Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that it is difficult to analyze developments in the Middle East region politically.

Haddad Adel: Principlists to announce electoral plan soon

TEHRAN – A prominent political and cultural figure has said principlists will soon announce their plan for the next year’s presidential election.

Leader’s electoral guidelines can end disputes: Aref

TEHRAN - Mohammad Reza Aref, head of the Hope parliamentary faction, said on Saturday that electoral policies set by Leader of the Islamic Revolution can put an end to all controversial issues surrounding the elections, especially the issue of disqualification of candidates.