REFORMIST PARTIES PICK UP NONE MUSLIM CANDIDATES
TEHRAN 15th Feb.(IPS) Two days before the start of the elections for the sixth Majles (parliament) of the Islamic Republic, campaign activities has cooled down due to restriction imposed on candidates as concerning propaganda matters measures like not using colour pictures or posters larger than 15 by 20 centimetres, measures that affects mostly first time and little known candidates.
Another reason for this lukewarm situation is the absence of major debates between prominent candidates in the public media, as contrary to other nations, the conservative-controlled Radio and Television do not take part in the elections.
To overcome these limitations, candidates have devised means and ways resorting to imaginative methods. In the northwestern city of Rasht, Gilan Province, a number of candidates have used gliders to distribute their campaign brochures, photos and tracts.
T-shirts with candidates' photos printed on them is also another means used by candidates, the official news agency IRNA reported.
However, this election, scheduled for Friday 18th February, has reserved some novelties like the enlisting, for the first time, of candidates belonging to religious minorities.
The Islamic Iran participation Front (IIPF) that supports President Mohammad Khatami with slogan reading "Iran For All Iranians" has embarcked Mr. Artanus Baghoumian, from Jolfa, the well known Armenian suburb if Esfahan while another formation has enlisted a Jewish woman.
According to Iranian Constitution, religious minorities that are officially recognised, namely the Jews, the Orthodox Armenians, the Assyrians and the Zoroastrians are represented in the Majles with one deputy, but Mr. Baghoumian would be an exception as he would not be regarded as an MP representing his community, but making part of the IIPF fraction.
While reformist candidates base their propaganda platform on political and social themes such as freedom, equality, civil society, freedom of the press and economic overture, conservatives clinch on old religious-oriented slogans that has no attraction for the great majority of young voters.
In a statement released Monday, the conservatives-dominated Society of Qom Theologians called on all Iranians to take part massively in the elections, advising the electors to vote for the "most eligible candidates".
"Majlis representatives should be elected from among experts who believe in religion as the factor pervading all cultural, economic, political, social arenas in individual life. Therefore, it said, commitment and expertise should be the main criteria in the choice of Majlis deputies", IRNA said.
Noting the absence of clear-cut programmes, particularly in economic field, newspapers said future MPs must pay more attention to the difficult economic situation of the people.
The next Majles should pay due attention to the bad situation in the sectors of consumer goods, household appliances and auto industry in the country and necessary legislation should be approved for scrapping several of the big foundations, newspapers hinted. ENDS ELECTION CAMPAIGN 15200