Iran Election 2008

Guide Note

A parliamentary election was held in Iran on March 14, 2008. As expected, conservative candidates maintained control of parliament. A run-off election was held on April 25, 2008. It was widely expected that this second election would solidify the conservative win of the first round.

Over twenty opposition groups formed a coalition party, led by Mohammad Khatami, to oppose the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However, despite some opposition candidates being allowed to take part, most (about 1,700 candidates) were barred from running by Iran's Guardian Council.

In February, 2008 the majority of the Iran Reformist Coalition candidates were barred from the election by the Guardian Council. Though many were reinstated a week later, critics point out that the Coalition's strongest candidates remain barred.

It was thought that a threat to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad power would be posed not by Reformists, but by a split in the conservative coalition. However, the first round results served to further strengthen Ahmadinejad's position as president.

Fast Facts

1. Held: March 14, 2008
2. General election for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the unicameral federal legislative body of Iran
3. At stake: 290 seats
4. Officially, campaigning cannot begin until one week before the election
5. Candidates must undergo an extensive vetting, or review, process
6. The grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, Ali Eshraghi has dropped out of the election
7. In an unprecedented move, some opposition candidates have been restored
8. Iran's conservative party has split support between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Larijani