US concerned over Iran's parliamentary election
February 21, 2004
IranMania News
WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (AFP) -- The United States on Friday voiced concern over Iran's parliamentary elections, saying measures taken by government hardliners prior to the vote were inconsistent with international norms.
"I think looking at the process leading up to the elections, there are reasons for concern," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said, citing the closure of the largest reformist party's offices and of two reformist publications.
Some 2,300 reformist candidates were also barred from running in the election.
"These actions do not represent free and fair elections and are not consistent with international norms," Ereli said.
He declined to comment on voter turnout "until credible numbers about voter turnout are available."
"I don't think we're more critical of the elections than the Iranian people are," he added.
Voter turnout is considered a key factor in determining the 25-year-old Islamic regime's popularity.
Conservatives opposed to reformist President Mohammed Khatami are expected to sweep the elections.
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=22771&NewsKind=Current%20AffairsELECTION BOYCOTT IN IRAN APPEARS TO KEEP TURNOUT IN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE LOW
Eurasia Net
21 Feb 2004
A reformist election boycott February 20 appears to have kept turnout in Iran’s parliamentary election well under 50 percent. The boycott’s apparent success could undermine the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and stands to hamper the ability of conservatives to push through their political agenda in the next parliament.
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav022004.shtmlAlright, we already know what the results will be and we know they are lying about the turnout, but what now? What are the people of Iran going to do now that the mullahs are going to tighten down everything once again?