Polls Indicate Large-Scale Turnout In Upcoming Majlis Elections

Tehran, Jan 31, IRNA – Based on reliable polls and reports done by official and non-official organizations, there will be large-scale presence of voters in upcoming parliamentarian election in March 2, Iran's Deputy Interior Minister Solat Mortazavi said on Monday. He made the remarks on the sideline of a research conference in the Interior Ministry. The Guardian Council is answering complains of those who have been declared as unqualified for the 9th parliamentarian election candidacy. A parliamentary election will be held in Iran on 2 March 2012 to elect new members of Islamic Consultative Assembly, Majlis. The week-long registration of candidates began December 24 and is handled by the Interior Ministry and candidates are vetted by the Guardian Council. The National Consultative Assembly of Iran is the national legislative body of Iran. The Parliament currently has 290 representatives, changed from the previous 272 seats since the 18 February 2000 election and will be changed to 310 representatives in 2012 election. Currently, the Parliament's 290 members, five of whom represent non-Muslim religious minorities, are popularly elected for a four-year term. The Parliament can force the dismissal of cabinet ministers by no-confidence votes and can impeach the president for misconduct in office. Although the executive branch proposes most new laws, individual deputies of the Parliament also may introduce legislation. Deputies also may propose amendments to bills being debated. The Parliament also drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget. All People's House of Iran candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the Guardian Council. Candidates must pledge in writing that they are committed, in theory and in practice, to the Iranian constitution./end