Tehran, 7 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- An Iranian politician says pro-reform parties may boycott next month's parliamentary elections if many of their candidates are barred from running by hard-liners.
Iran's Guardians Council is expected to reveal next week how many of the over 8,000 potential candidates for the poll it has disqualified. Many of the hard-line clerics that dominate the constitutional oversight body oppose reformers.
Behzad Nabavi, a deputy parliament speaker, today told a news conference that boycotting the February poll is an option if hard-liners create unfair voting conditions by disqualifying too many candidates.
President Mohammed Khatami has called on the Guardians Council not to veto many candidates.
Iran's Guardians Council is expected to reveal next week how many of the over 8,000 potential candidates for the poll it has disqualified. Many of the hard-line clerics that dominate the constitutional oversight body oppose reformers.
Behzad Nabavi, a deputy parliament speaker, today told a news conference that boycotting the February poll is an option if hard-liners create unfair voting conditions by disqualifying too many candidates.
President Mohammed Khatami has called on the Guardians Council not to veto many candidates.
