Responding to question regarding the definition of ‘statesman (religious and political figures),’ Abbasali Kadkhodaei, said that “the definition of ‘religious and political figures’ has been set forth at the beginning of Article 115 [of Constitution].”
“The article has emphasized that president will be selected from among the religious and political figures that have other qualifications as well, including being a good manager, resourceful, and faith to the principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
He concluded that “therefore, any political and religious figure cannot necessarily be eligible, which may require our attention.”
In response to question that some are ready to be dismissed by the Guardian Council to question its [the Guardian Council] validity saying that ‘why the Guardian Council does not publicize its reasons for rejecting them ,’ he said: “the Guardian Council is subject to the law, and we say you're also subject to the law, and whatever the law says, we'll implement.”
Kadkhodaei also responded a question that whether disqualification by the Guardian Council meant disqualification from other posts. “Guardian Council is a specific authority, and we can only comment about a specific authority that the legislature has delegated for particular qualification [to us].”
“So we announce the qualifications of [candidates] for the parliament, the Assembly of Experts or the Presidency, and we decide whether this person may be eligible for those posts or not, and whether the person can run for the election. The question of what positions he has had in the past, or what position he will have in the future, is not a consideration [for qualifications].”
In response to question of whether the lobbing and other political pressures would have any effect on the Guardian Council’s decision, he said: “if pressure means that the Guardian Council’s deviation from its obligations, it is not that way, and the Guardian Council has never bowed to pressures, but sometimes there are deliberate consultations which may help to arrive to qualifications.”
He also responded the question of how many people of the 35 most well-known candidates would be qualified, he said: “the Guardian Council never set a specific number [for qualification] beforehand, we measure the criteria first, which may lead to four candidates on one time, or six candidates in other, or sometimes may even be nine candidates, so each time, the number is different.”
MH/SH
MNA
END