Reza Pourhossein, the director of IRIB channel 4, is tasked to conduct televised debates between presidential challengers which will start on Tuesday. Reza Pourhossein is also a faculty member of Tehran University who holds a PhD in psychology. The order came from the IRIB chief Ezatollah Zarqami.

In his letter released on Sunday, Zarqami has stated the televised debates, the first to be held between presidential candidates in Iran, will create an appropriate atmosphere for selecting the most qualified candidate. Zarqami also said the scheduled debates will provide a golden opportunity for the promotion of “free thought”.
Karroubi names Najafi as MPO director
Reformist presidential contender Mahdi Karroubi announced in Ferdowsi University in Mashhad on Sunday that he has appointed Mohammad-Ali Najafi as director of the Management and Planning Organization (MPO) in his likely future cabinet.
Like Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Karroubi has insisted that he will immediately restore the Management and Planning Organization dissolved under the current administration.
Najafi had served as the MPO director in the Khatami administration and education minister in the Rafsanjani administration.
Karroubi also said that he has appointed Mohammad-Reza Abasifar as presidential advisor for legal and parliamentary affairs. Abasifar was a member of the Guardian Council and the chairman of the Administrative Justice Court.
Karroubi, a former Majlis speaker, vowed to name some other members of his cabinet, among them women, next week.
The appointments fall within an analysis that naming key members of the cabinet shows each candidate’s plans which in effect would affect potential voters’ decision.
Ahmadinejad’s victory will benefit nation
MP Hamid-Reza Haji-Babaii stated on Saturday that it will be in the “interest of the system and the nation” if Ahmadinejad is reelected president.
Talking to Ahmadinejad’s supporters in Hamedan, Haji-Babaii said that if the people vote for the current administration, the “wheels of economy” will be strengthened.
“I don’t want any person to vote for Ahmadinejad, I just want to vote for whatever that is right,” he noted.
Mehr-Alizadeh wants debates among candidates’ representatives
Mohsen Mehr-Alizadeh who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 stated on Sunday that holding debates between the candidate’s representatives is very important in shaping the potential voters’ mind about candidates.
“Holding such debates between candidates’ representatives are definitely positive” and let the realities to be clarified, Mehr-Alizadeh, the director of Physical Education Organization in the Khatami administration, told the MNA.
He added that debates can cast light on the capability of each candidate’s team without any prejudice. He also noted a massive turnout in the election will be a national glory and shows the system’s legitimacy.
Mousavi will choose competent managers
MP Reza Akrami stated on Sunday that presidential hopeful Mir-Hossein Mousavi will choose competent and experienced managers if he wins the race.
Talking to the MNA, he said that Mousavi’s commitment to law and his intention to appoint “competent and famous managers” in managerial posts were the reasons that made him to back Mousavi.
He asked media, especially the national TV, to increase the public awareness about the importance of the election.
Not enough time for debates between candidates’ allies
Mohammad-Hossein Soufi stated on Sunday that not enough time left to arrange debates between the candidates’ representatives.
He said TV campaigns should be approved by the Interior Ministry election headquarters and there is no time for examining the issue.
However, the IRIB deputy director said in comparison to the past, this time candidates have more time for TV campaigns. Each candidate has been given 32:30 hours to introduce himself and his plans in both radio and television program, he told the MNA.
Majlis National Power faction backs no candidate
MP Mohammad-Reza Dastgheib stated the Majlis National Power faction will not back any candidate. He said his faction will issue an election statement to announce its decision and call for huge massive voters’ turnout.