Iran MPs, clerical body deadlocked on election law
TEHRAN, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Iran's parliament defied the country's hardline
Guardian Council on Tuesday by sending to a higher body a proposed bill
that would limit the council's powers to bar election candidates, state
radio reported.
The radio said deputies, who had been asked by the Guardian Council
to strike the measure limiting its powers, decided instead to send the
bill to the Expediency Council which arbitrates between parliament and
the Guardian Council.
The Guardian Council, a powerful clergy-based body which vets legislation
passed by parliament, had rejected the bill which required the council
to state in writing the grounds for disqualifying election candidates.
The conservative-led council, which also screens candidates and oversees
elections, had said the bill passed by parliament was unconstitutional.
Reformers backing moderate President Mohammad Khatami have welcomed
parliament's defiance as the council has mainly used its powers in the
past to bar reformist candidates from running.
Moderates hope to make gains in parliamentary elections in February
thanks to Khatami's wide popularity. But they fear the council may again
bar many of their candidates from running.
It remains uncertain what form the election law will take when the Expediency
Council, whose decision is final, makes its ruling.
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