Reformist Aref says all political groups have right to contest presidential election

TEHRAN,July 15(MNA) – Pro-reform figure Mohammad Reza Aref said that all political groupings, including reformists, have the right to contest the 2013 presidential election. “The presence and participation in elections is a duty on the one hand, and, on the other hand, is the right of political groups. Therefore, reformists, like other groups, have the right to participate in the (next) round of elections,” Aref, who served as vice president under president Mohammad Khatami from 2001 to 2005, told the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency in an interview published on Saturday. “In the country, the ground should be prepared in such a way that reformists, like other groups, could participate in determining the country’s destiny,” he added. Aref, who is currently a member of the Expediency Council, went on to say that reformists have been one of the most “deep-rooted” and “influential” political groupings in the country. “If we want to be successful in running the country, we have no way other than the serious participation of reformists,” he noted. Asked if he thinks the people would welcome the reformists’ participation in the election, he stated, “The people have usually welcomed reformists warmly. If the country’s socio-political situation develops in such a way that the ground could be prepared for the participation of reformists, I feel that the people will welcome it.” When asked if he has a serious decision to stand as a candidate in the election, Aref said, “I will not talk about it at this juncture and believe that it is too early to talk about” possible candidates. “The most important issue is serious public participation. If the way is paved for participation, those who feel a sense of duty and can run the country will enter the scene of the election,” he added.