The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, has appealed for a large turnout in the March 1 elections for a clerical body and parliament.
Khamenei made the plea on Sunday, according to his website and the Xinhua news agency, at a meeting with residents of the northwest region of East Azarbaijan in Tehran.
According to him, the elections serve as the cornerstone of the Islamic Republic and pave the way for its reforms.
“Everyone should participate in the elections. Those who want to solve problems should use the elections as the correct method,” he added.
Iran will hold its 12th parliamentary and sixth Assembly of Experts elections on March 1. The 290-seat parliament has the power to pass laws and oversee the government, while the 88-member Assembly of Experts is empowered to appoint the Supreme Leader.
Iran’s Constitutional Council Spokesman Hadi Tahan Nazif said on February 9 that 14,912 candidates had been approved to run for parliament after a vetting process, the official IRNA news agency reported.
A total of 144 candidates are competing for the Assembly of Experts, which is elected for an eight-year term.
Source:IANS