Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
h . Other
Comments: The task of appointing the Leader shall be vested with the experts elected by the people. The experts will review and consult among themselves concerning all the 'fuqaha' possessing the qualifications specified in Articles 5 and 109 (of the Constitution). In the event they find one of them better versed in Islamic regulations, the subjects of the fiqh, or in political and social issues, or possessing general popularity or special prominence for any of the qualifications mentioned in Article 109, they shall elect him as the Leader. Otherwise, in the absence of such a superiority, they shall elect and declare one of them as the Leader. The Leader thus elected by the Assembly of Experts shall assume all the powers of the 'wilayat al-amr' and all the responsibilities arising therefrom.
The law setting out the number and qualifications of the experts [mentioned in the preceding article], the mode of their election, and the code of procedure regulating the sessions during the first term must be drawn up by the fuqaha' on the first Guardian Council, passed by a majority of votes and then finally approved by the Leader of the Revolution. The power to make any subsequent change or a review of this law, or approval of all the provisions concerning the duties of the experts is vested in themselves.
Following are the essential qualifications and conditions for the Leader:
scholarship, as required for performing the functions of muftiin different fields of fiqh.
Justice and piety, as required for the leadership of the Islamic Ummah.
right political and social perspicacity, prudence, courage, administrative facilities and adequate capability for leadership.
In case of multiplicity of persons fulfilling the above qualifications and conditions, the person possessing the better jurisprudential and political perspicacity will be given preference.
Source: Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, articles 107-109: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
Verified: 2024/11/19
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President is elected for a four-year term by the direct vote of the people. His reelection for a successive term is permissible only once.
The President is elected by an absolute majority of votes polled by the voters. But if none of the candidates is able to win such a majority in the first round, voting will take place a second time on Friday of the following week. In the second round only the two candidates who received greatest number of votes in the first round will participate. If, however, some of the candidates securing greatest votes in the first round withdraw from the elections, the final choice will be between the two candidates who won greater number of votes than all the remaining candidates.
Source: Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, articles 114 and 117: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
Verified: 2024/11/19
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President is the head of government.
Source: Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, article 113-132: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
Verified: 2024/11/19
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Islamic Consultative Assembly
Source: Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, article 62-63: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
Elections Act of Islamic Consultative Assembly article 2: https://www.refworld.org/themes/custom/unhcr_rw/pdf-js/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.refworld.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Flegacy-pdf%2Fen%2F1999-11%2F4c35cba22.pdf
Verified: 2024/11/19
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
d . Two-Round System
Comments: The election of a member in the first stage is subject to obtaining the majority of at least one forth of total votes (one third in the previous Majles) and in the second stage as well as middle-period elections, the pro rata majority
In case of the equality of two or some members votes, the measurement for their electionis drawing lots being carried out in the common meeting of Executive Boards and Supervisory Board of Election station Center. The said candidates or their representatives are authorized to appear in the casting ceremonies.
If in the first stage of the elections, one or more candidates do no succeed to obtain the majority of
one fourth (Previously one third) of the cast votes, the elections will be held in two stages.
This means that from those candidates who did not obtain the quorum of one forth of the votes,
but the highest votes of the first stage, only two times of the required number of the Parliament
members can take part in the second stage of elections.
If the number of remained candidates are less than two times of required members, all of them
will take part in the elections of second stage.
The Islamic Consultative Assembly is constituted by the representatives of the people elected directly and by secret ballot.
Source: Elections Act of Islamic Consultative Assembly article 8-9: https://www.refworld.org/themes/custom/unhcr_rw/pdf-js/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.refworld.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Flegacy-pdf%2Fen%2F1999-11%2F4c35cba22.pdf
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, article 62: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
Verified: 2024/11/19
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