Khomeini grandson in 'poll ban'

[frigidmagi]

BBC

A relative of Iran's late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini is reportedly among thousands of pro-reform hopefuls banned from parliamentary polls.

Ruhollah Khomeini's grandson Ali Eshraghi, 39, told reporters he was vetoed after officials asked neighbours detailed questions about him.

Candidates are vetted by ministry committees to check their loyalty to Iran's Islamic revolutionary system.

Reformists were defeated in 2004 after hundreds of such disqualifications.

Mr Eshraghi told Kargozaran newspaper: "My neighbours told me they were questioned about my private life, including... whether I shaved, whether I pray or fast or smoke."

"This does not benefit the system and the expansion of democracy. This narrow-mindedness does not suit the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

The vetting process will continue for several weeks and the final list of approved candidates will be announced on 5 March, with the vote held on 14 March.

About half of the 7,168 registered hopefuls have been disqualified, according to press reports.

The rejections can be appealed against, but correspondents say the reformist camp has already had to drastically scale down its expectations for the elections.

The final say over who can stand lies with the hardline unelected vetting body the Guardians Council.

Ayatollah Khomeini, who died in 1989, became Iran's first Supreme Leader after the 1979 Islamic revolution and instituted the current clerically led system.

The irony of this story was just to strong to ignore.