[Global Issue+] The Unique Iranian Presidential System Where Only Candidates with a Master's Degree or Higher Can Run

Constitution Protection Committee Suddenly Revises Presidential Candidate Requirements
Overwhelming Victory for Hardline Conservatives Amid Low Voter Turnout

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Iranian presidential election, which had been mired in controversy from the candidate selection process to domestic and international criticism and voting boycotts, ended as expected with an overwhelming victory for the hardline conservatives. Ebrahim Raisi, the candidate openly endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei even before the election, was ultimately elected, and it is anticipated that the voices of criticism from the moderate reformists within Iran will grow louder.

In particular, the Guardian Council of the Constitution, which holds the authority to select presidential candidates, suddenly introduced an unprecedented regulation requiring candidates to hold a master's degree or higher, leading to the disqualification of many moderate reformist candidates. This has sparked criticism that the victory was already foreseen. Such an irrational occurrence in Iran, a democratic republic where citizens directly elect their representatives, is attributed to Iran's unique theocratic state system.

Predicted Victory...Candidate Raisi Wins Overwhelmingly with 62% Support

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On the 19th (local time), Iran's Ministry of Interior announced the election results, declaring that candidate Raisi won with 17,926,345 votes, securing 62% of the support. Abdolnaser Hemmati, a reformist candidate known as his competitor, received 2,427,201 votes, accounting for 8.4%, placing third. The second place went to Mohsen Rezaei, a former member of the Revolutionary Guard and also known as a hardline conservative, who garnered 3,412,712 votes, or 11.8% support. The hardline conservatives swept over 70% of the votes, marking a decisive victory.

However, voter turnout was at an all-time low. Out of approximately 59.31 million eligible voters, only about 28.93 million participated, resulting in a final turnout rate of 48.8%. This figure is not only lower than the 73% turnout in the previous election but also the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The overwhelming victory of candidate Raisi was already anticipated both inside and outside Iran. Supreme Leader Khamenei openly declared his support before the election, and the Iranian regime overwhelmingly backed him. On the day of the election, Khamenei congratulated Raisi's victory, stating, "The great winner of the election is the Iranian people. The Iranian people rose up against the propaganda of media acting as mercenaries for the enemy."

Only Master's Degree Holders Allowed as Candidates...Mass Disqualification of Moderate Reformist Candidates

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During this Iranian presidential election process, it is known that Supreme Leader Khamenei and the Iranian leadership exerted strong pressure from the candidate registration stage to ensure Raisi's overwhelming victory. Especially this year, the Guardian Council, responsible for selecting candidates, introduced a new regulation stipulating that only those holding a master's degree or higher could run for president, sparking significant controversy.

As a result, over 1,200 moderate reformist figures who originally intended to register as candidates were completely disqualified without even being able to register. Officially, 592 candidates registered, but after background checks on criminal records and religious affiliations, only seven candidates remained. These consisted of five hardline conservatives and two moderate reformists, drawing criticism that the playing field was already "tilted."

The reason such a situation was possible lies in Iran's unique theocratic political system. The Supreme Leader holds the authority to appoint the 12 members of the Guardian Council who select presidential candidates.

Supreme Leader and Assembly of Experts Above the Constitution

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The Supreme Leader, who holds actual full power in Iran, is a figure above not only the Iranian government but also the constitution. The Assembly of Experts, which elects the Supreme Leader, consists of 86 members who are themselves elected by direct popular vote every eight years. However, since all candidates for this assembly must be clerics, the election itself is said to hold little significance.

Ultimately, the Supreme Leader is chosen from among the most prestigious and powerful clerics, and because the Supreme Leader stands above the constitution, they cannot be controlled by statutory law. This has led to problems where the Supreme Leader deeply intervenes not only in the presidential election process but also in the policies of the Iranian government.

The Supreme Leader also maintains a separate military force, allowing for greater interference in the Iranian government. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is actually organized separately from the regular Iranian military and operates as the Supreme Leader's personal militia, acting under the Supreme Leader's orders rather than those of the Iranian government.