Iran Cancels Plans to Hold Feb. Elections Electronically: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran has called off plans to hold the two upcoming elections using electronic voting machines, Spokesman for Iran's Guardian Council (GC) Nejatollah Ebrahimian announced.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday, Ebrahimian pointed to a meeting of the GC earlier in the day and said the issue of using electronic ballot boxes in the upcoming elections was raised in the session and the majority of the GC members voiced their opposition to the plan.
One of the main reasons behind the decision not to hold the elections electronically is that the security of the new systems planned to be used for electronic elections was not confirmed by related authorities, he noted.
Back in June 2015, the Iranian cabinet members approved a plan to hold the upcoming parliament and the Assembly of Experts elections, due to be held on February 26, by using electronic ballot boxes.
There are currently 290 seats in the Iranian parliament, known as Majlis, elected by direct vote of people in nationwide election for four years.
The Assembly of Experts is also a high-ranking body that elects and oversees the activities of the leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Members of the assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.