Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
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Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)

The Iranian government announced Wednesday it was preparing a new draft law for a referendum that would limit the powers of the Guardian Council of the Constitution.

The 12-member Guardian Council consists of six Muslim clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six lawyers elected by parliament. It is charged with ensuring that draft laws do not contradict with religious laws or Iran’s constitution and overseeing elections and legislation.

Iranian president's assistant for legal affairs Laya Junaidi made the announcement and was quoted by news agencies as saying that the bill will be presented to the Iranian cabinet to set the framework for overseeing the Guardian Council.

She pointed to differences between the government and the Guardian Council in interpreting the task of corrective oversight.

“Any interpretation must respect the boundaries when implemented, she stressed, adding that “if it causes the prohibition, restriction, and loss of rights, the original right must be taken into consideration.”

Electoral campaigns will be launched on Thursday (today), eight days before the Iranians head to the ballot boxes to vote, amid fears of declining turnout.

President Hassan Rouhani slammed on Tuesday the disqualification of thousands of people, including 90 current lawmakers, from running in upcoming parliamentary elections.

Most of those rejected were reformist and moderate candidates who were disqualified due to “financial problems,” a reference to embezzlement and corruption.

He indirectly called for the need to hold a referendum in the country over a new system of rule amid internal criticism of the Supreme Leader’s control over state affairs and agencies, vastly exceeding the power of the government.

The President said the current system is based on the “will of the people” and the “referendum.”

He issued an order on Feb. 7 to submit a regulation on “reforming the supervision of the elections.”

Rouhani’s orders came in response to a message by the “Union of the Nation of Iran” - the largest reformist party - which asked the Iranian president, a few days ago, to submit a draft-law to conduct a referendum on the supervision of the Guardian Council.

The Union of the Nation of Iran party took advantage of Rouhani’s statements about the need to hold a referendum and urged him to return to the public opinion on sensitive issues, such as economy, politics, society, and culture.



French Politicians Condemn Mosque Stabbing Attack

A protestor holds a sign reading "Justice for Aboubakar, Islamophobia kills" during a gathering in tribute to Aboubakar, the worshipper killed in a mosque at La Grand-Combe, and against Islamophobia, at the Place de la Republique in Paris on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)
A protestor holds a sign reading "Justice for Aboubakar, Islamophobia kills" during a gathering in tribute to Aboubakar, the worshipper killed in a mosque at La Grand-Combe, and against Islamophobia, at the Place de la Republique in Paris on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)
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French Politicians Condemn Mosque Stabbing Attack

A protestor holds a sign reading "Justice for Aboubakar, Islamophobia kills" during a gathering in tribute to Aboubakar, the worshipper killed in a mosque at La Grand-Combe, and against Islamophobia, at the Place de la Republique in Paris on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)
A protestor holds a sign reading "Justice for Aboubakar, Islamophobia kills" during a gathering in tribute to Aboubakar, the worshipper killed in a mosque at La Grand-Combe, and against Islamophobia, at the Place de la Republique in Paris on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

French politicians on Sunday condemned an attack in which a man was stabbed to death while praying at a mosque in southern France, an incident that was captured on video and disseminated on Snapchat.
President Emmanuel Macron offered his support to the man's family and to the French Muslim community, writing in a post on X: "Racism and religiously motivated hatred will never belong in France."
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Sunday visited the town of Ales where Friday's attack took place and met with religious leaders, Reuters reported.
He said the suspect, who was still at large, had made anti-Muslim comments and had said he wanted to kill others. "So there is a fascination with violence," Retailleau told French broadcaster BFM TV.
The town's prosecutor told reporters on Sunday the suspect had been identified. The suspect's brother had been questioned by investigators on Saturday.
A march to commemorate the victim took place in the nearby town of La Grand-Combe, on Sunday afternoon and a demonstration against Islamophobia was expected in Paris in the evening.
France, a country that prides itself on its homegrown secularism known as "laicite," has the largest Muslim population in Europe, numbering more than 6 million and making up around 10% of the country's population.