Iranian Regime’s Desperate Efforts to Showcase Legitimacy Through Sham Elections

Staff WriterJune 20, 2024
Iranian Regime’s Desperate Efforts to Showcase Legitimacy Through Sham Elections
As preparations for the clerical regime’s presidential elections unfold, all political factions appear to indulge in the illusion

Written by
Mohammad Sadat Khansari

As preparations for the clerical regime’s presidential elections unfold, all political factions appear to indulge in the illusion that they might once again deceive Iranian society. They aim to translate voter turnout into a display of legitimacy to convince their demoralized forces, regional proxy militants, and foreign counterparts at the negotiating table that the regime is far from being overthrown.

With Ebrahim Raisi’s premature death, Khamenei’s plans for a consolidated rule to navigate domestic and international crises have been thrown into disarray. His primary agenda to install an obedient crew at the helm of the Council of Experts, who would nominate his preferred candidate as the next Supreme Leader, is now in jeopardy.

A new candidate must now take Raisi’s place to continue the path Khamenei envisions. In the qualification process for the presidential race, a cunning strategy was employed. Among the self-proclaimed reformists, three registered: Eshaq Jahangiri, former VP under Hassan Rouhani; Abbas Akhoundi, former Minister of Roads and Urban Development under Rouhani; and Masoud Pezeshkian, former Minister of Health under Mohammad Khatami.

Aware of Jahangiri and Akhoundi’s political clout compared to Pezeshkian, Khamenei swiftly disqualified the former two. This maneuver achieved two goals: it eliminated their chances of winning and created the illusion of allowing a reformist to run, though one who stands little chance against the heavyweight Principlists from Khamenei’s own faction.

Despite having just one candidate in the race, the sidelined faction who call themselves moderates saw an opportunity to mobilize. Their propaganda machine suddenly sprang into action. Former president Mohammad Khatami, who had vowed in December 2019 not to participate in the upcoming elections, immediately endorsed Pezeshkian upon his qualification. Another key player, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, defended Pezeshkian, with others following suit, including former Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karoubi, currently under house arrest.

There is no doubt that Khamenei, increasingly isolated abroad and despised at home, desperately needs to showcase legitimacy. The last three sham elections under his rule were marked by widespread voter boycotts that were impossible to conceal. Khamenei has recently reiterated that it doesn’t matter who people vote for, as long as they vote.

Abbas Abdi, a former torturer turned media commentator, has once again put his pen to Khamenei’s service. Despite previously declaring there was no hope within the Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) system, he has suddenly reversed his stance. In an article in the state-run Etemad newspaper titled “Sacred Doubt, Profane Shame,” Abdi claimed he wasn’t trying to tell anyone who to vote for but then immediately urged people to vote for Pezeshkian to manifest their will and that of the people.

“The events post-2017 have caused much suffering,” Abbas Abdi writes, citing the constant waves of uprisings. “The accumulation of grievances and the lack of appropriate responses have turned into resentment and hatred. We are trapped by our grudges and resentments. But if we make politics subject to these emotions, we will get nowhere.”

“I offer no guarantees that what I say is correct or certain! In politics, making definite promises is charlatanism! There are no suitable political promises,” he adds, attempting to dodge responsibility for the aftermath when the public learns about the outcomes of the sham elections and the deceit of the likes of Abbas Abdi.

Staff WriterJune 20, 2024
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